Work Text:
-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`
“...You should avoid pushing yourself so much.”
Sephiroth held the heated compress firmly over his lover’s left shoulder, even as the other male stretched his arm back and forth.
“I was determined to finish my task today, and I did,” Genesis exclaimed with a scoff. “Had I not pushed myself - as you say - I would still be turning over mountains of soil tomorrow. If we wait any longer, we’ll have nothing grown before the frost returns.”
Sephiroth sighed. Genesis was certainly headstrong. It was one of the traits that had endeared him so - but it was also, at times, his downfall. He lifted the compress, gazing at the fissured flesh momentarily before replacing it. The degradation of Genesis’ body had considerably slowed with the introduction of Sephiroth’s own cells, but it was still a concern.
“You could have waited for me to help you, at least. I did not expect to take so long in the village today. I apologize.”
“Sephiroth - please don’t make me feel as though I’m helpless. I’m not broken yet.”
Yet...
Sephiroth felt himself paused - the silence filled by Sofi purring in his lover’s lap. He inhaled quietly, deeply - his gaze drawn again to Genesis’ damaged shoulder. The red-head knew what was on his mind. “...I’m sorry. I know you don’t like to think about it.”
“I...I just cannot imagine going on without you.”
Sofi mewled as Genesis lifted her with both hands. He turned himself around on the sofa, placing the grey cat on his lover’s crossed legs. There was a light scowl on his face as he folded his arms across his bared chest. His tone was firm, “You’re a damn fool, my dear. You’re not going to lose me.”
Sephiroth’s eyes cast down to Sofi. Even she appeared to be scowling at him - her vertically-slitted eyes piercing into his own. He stammered, “I... How can...we be sure?”
The answer was self-assured. “Because I said so.”
Headstrong, indeed. A smile slowly formed on the ex-SOLDIER’s face. Gods, he loved Genesis so much. Sometimes, perhaps, too much for his own good.
The red-head chuckled in his throat. “That’s better. Now then, you are going to help me plant tomorrow, right?”
The former Hero of Shinra mirrored the playful tone. “Can you trust me with this mission?”
Genesis rolled his eyes, scratching his fingers through Sofi’s long fur. “That remains to be seen, my dear.”
`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`
Sephiroth tugged at his flannel shirt as his lover hummed, contemplating the raised soil bed east of the cabin. The former Hero of Shinra was out of his element. “...Why can we not plant the beets here again?”
Genesis scoffed, “Remember how stunted they were last year? Farmer Joorgen says it’s because they don’t do well with so much shade. I’m thinking of putting them in the south-facing bed.”
Rubber boots scraped the ground as Sephiroth thumbed through the selection of seeds, “What about...the pumpkins?”
“Oh no, my dear - I’ve arranged a bed of nitrogen-rich compost especially for those.”
He tried again, “Carrots? Perhaps with the celery?”
The other ex-SOLDIER shook his head, “And have them cross-pollinate? Not a chance.”
There was further back and forth before the pair settled on potatoes and edging the plot with cilantro to ward off pests. As they worked trowels and gloved hands through the dirt, Genesis reminded his lover, “Plant them with the ‘eyes to the skies’.”
The former Hero of Shinra nodded as he placed an earthworm out of harm’s way.
With their spuds buried, the moved on to the lower bed nearby, where the red-head deliberated before settling on carrots, peas, chives, and mint. Onions, garlic, savory and chamomile found their home in a plot with buried riverstone for drainage.
By the time they had reached the compost-based plot, Sephiroth had removed his gloves, enjoying the sensation of digging in the dirt with his bare hands. As they pressed pumpkin seeds into the dirt, Genesis exclaimed, “It was so kind of Joorgen to provide us with the compost for free.”
“What is compost, anyways?”
The red-head smirked, “Oh, this? Mostly chocobo shit.”
Sephiroth had re-donned his gloves shortly after.
Lunch was had shortly after noon; bacon and aged cheddar sandwiches were paired with cold blueberry ale. Sofi complained loudly underneath the kitchen table, until she’d received her owed dues of cheese from both males.
The afternoon saw peppers planted, brassicas buried, and strawberries stationed. Genesis spoke a silent prayer over the honeydew melons, knowing that the Northern continent’s growing season was far too short for them. “It never hurts to try,” Sephiroth had encouraged.
Watering their sown labours turned into a water fight, with Genesis spraying his lover with a hose as instigation. The former Hero of Shinra, never one to lose, ended the battle by pouring a twenty-two litre bucket down the red-head’s back.
The sun was beginning to set as they seated themselves on the back porch, admiring their acre of efforts. Genesis leaned on Sephiroth’s shoulder, drawing in a tired breath as a muscled arm wrapped around him. Running strained fingers through his locks, he sighed, “...Angeal would have dreamed of this. He loved gardening.”
Sephiroth kissed that fiery hair. “I know.”
“I think of him almost every day.”
“Me too.”
An evening wind began to whistle over the mountains, chilled from the remaining snow on their peaks. Both lovers sighed together - thoughts of their fallen friend fading in and out of their minds. Genesis stopped himself just before the tears threatened. The porch bored creaking below him, he rose slowly, stiffly - groaning from the exertion.
Sephiroth looked up at him with worried eyes, “Are you feeling alright?”
The red-head hissed through his teeth, bringing his hand to his shoulder. “Even I must admit - I’ve overdone it these last few days.”
`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`-.`
The former Hero of Shinra lowered himself into the hot bath behind his lover. The water was murky with healing salts, emanating a pleasant aroma of peppermint and birch oils.
Genesis relaxed against the ivory torso, smiling as he traced a finger along Sephiroth’s jawline. “Thank you for your help today, my dear.”
The other male chuckled quietly. “Have I received a good rating for this assignment?”
The red-head smirked, “Yes, you completed the mission with the utmost effort and attention to detail.”
Sephiroth kissed the top of his lover’s head as he reached for his glass of wine. He glanced briefly at Genesis’ fissured skin before sipping it. The smile faded from his face as he started, “Genesis...”
“Yes, my dear?”
“...I really would help you with anything. You only have to ask.”
Genesis scoffed, taking the glass from the other’s hand. “Have I not told you already? I am not broken.” He drank from the vessel, savouring the taste before drawing it down. A near-whisper, he added, “...But, thank you.”
Sephiroth smiled as he stole his wine back, placing it on the ceramic surface beside them. Clearing damp, red strands out of the way, he began kissing his lover’s neck. Genesis huffed in a pleasured breath, biting his lip as teeth teased the delicate flesh. He hummed low in his throat, smirking as he leaned into the sensation. “Hm. Is this something you're willing to help me with?”
The answer was growled in his ear, “Of course.”
The red-head turned himself over, placing himself astride his lover in the warm water. Their eyes met as Genesis’ smirk spread wider. “Then, I need you.”
Sephiroth pulled the other’s hips closer, “I love you.”
Genesis laughed, looking down between them, “Yes... I can feel your love, my dear.”
“And I can feel your need.”
“...I love you too, Sephiroth.”
Their lips met as they pulled each other closer still.
It wasn’t long before the wooden door to the bathroom was pushed open with a brief squeak. Sofi strode in silently, leaping up and perching herself on the tub’s edge beside Sephiroth’s shoulder. She gazed at the wine-glass forlornly.
The former Hero of Shinra’s eyes narrowed as he broke the kiss. “Sofi, don’t-“
The glass was pushed without hesitation. The cat turned and ran as water splashed upwards from the impact. Genesis screeched as cabernet clouded around both bathing SOLDIERs. “How could you? Hairy brute!”
Sephiroth leaned back in defeat. “...I will be certain to install a latch on that door.”
Genesis scornfully fished the empty glass from the water. “Please! I can’t even piss by myself anymore.”
The other male began to snicker. The red-head scrunched his brow, feigning irritation. “What? Oh, you think it’s funny?”
Sephiroth’s chest was now heaving with laughter. Genesis scooped his hand through the pink water, splashing it at his lover’s face. Through his peels, the former Hero of Shinra grabbed Genesis by the arm, pulling him down. The red-head put up a playful resistance before he, too, collapsed in a giggling mess upon the other. When their laughter finally faded, they kissed again, before a suggestion was made.
“Shall we go to bed?” Sephiroth asked.
Genesis replied, “Certainly - but not to sleep.”