DOGS of War

Haha, sorry this took so long. I was having too much fun writing chapter 18 and didn't want to come back and finish this one. XD

Putting a warning here because Haine likes it rough... and he always gets what he wants. >:3

~ ~ ~

Genesis sighed tiredly as he punched in the code to his front door and waited for it to register. He looked at the keypad. It really was time for an upgrade. Preferably with something more tangible than a number to memorize. Electronic keys or cards, perhaps. He'd mention it at the next board meeting.

It had been nearly a week since the fiasco with Cloud's bully. Haine had taken Angeal's words to heart and had begun spending more of his time off at home. For as worn out as he was, Genesis couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as the door slid open and he was greeted by the sound of loud music emanating from somewhere within the living unit. To be honest, he'd begun to worry that Haine hadn't liked his gift after all. He pulled off his red leather coat and tossed it over the arm of the loveseat before making his way toward the epicenter of the din.

Genesis stopped in front of the closed door to the study, suddenly very thankful for the thorough soundproofing of his unit, when the door flew open and a wall of music slammed into him. With only the smallest fraction of his brain dedicated to wondering how Haine could possibly have heard him coming over the relentless pounding of piano, drums, and bass, and the rest being overrun with soundwaves, it took Genesis a few seconds to realize that the force that had knocked him to the ground had, in fact, not been a wave of sound, but rather a solid body. A half naked solid body.

Genesis dragged his gaze from Haine's bare torso up to his fiercely glowing red eyes and something in the back of his mind supplied that this was very not normal. But Genesis didn't have much time to ponder whether the dangerously vibrant glow was a good or bad thing before the teen's lips were crushed against his own in a searing kiss that inevitably blanked any and all thoughts from his mind.

~Is your secret safe tonight?
and are we out of sight?
Or will our world come tumbling down?~

Haine's fingers were in his hair, his nails gently dragging across his sensitive scalp as the teen mouthed the words to the song against his skin.

~Will they find our hiding place?
Is this our last embrace?
Or will the walls start caving in?~

Genesis' rough gasp drew out into a desperate moan as Haine's mouth moved along his jawline to nibble and suck on the earring dangling from his lobe.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
but it should have been right~

Genesis could feel the heavy beat of the music pounding through his chest.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
let our hearts ignite~

Echoing in his ribcage.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
are we digging a hole?~

Forcing his heart to beat in time.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
this is out of control~

Haine's hands sought out the buckles holding Genesis' sword harness in place and began tugging them open.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
it could never last~

Genesis yanked frantically at the gauze around Haine's throat, tearing the weak fabric away.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
must erase it fast~

Haine ground against Genesis desperately as the redhead's mouth latched onto his neck.

~It could be wrong, could be wrong-
but it could have been right~

Genesis threw his head back and moaned loudly as Haine thrust against him and the teen's fingers found their way up his shirt.

~It could be wrong could be-~

Haine straightened up, straddling Genesis' thighs, and reached out to yank the elder male up by the straps of his unbuckled sword harness.

~Love is our resistance
They'll keep us apart and they won't stop breaking us down.
Hold me...
Our lips must always be sealed~

Haine's lips were at his ear again and although Genesis could feel more than hear the word those soft lips were forming against him, he immediately recognized it.

“Please.”

Haine grinned as he felt the last of Genesis' resistance dissolve and he pushed the redhead back down to the floor so he could begin unbuckling his numerous belts. He pulled the topmost one apart and quickly popped the button behind it open as well. His movements were uncharacteristically frenzied and haphazard as he yanked on tight black leather and cloth. He wanted, and he wanted now.

For as much as Genesis would have loved to let Haine tear his clothes off and have his way on the floor of the hall, that was not how he wanted their first time to be. He grabbed the teen's wrists and pulled his hands away in an attempt to regain some semblance of control.

Growling possessively, Genesis flipped Haine onto his back. The teen gasped in surprise and pleasure as the elder soldier seized control, grinding against him dominantly as he thrust his tongue between Haine's lips to invade and explore the moist cavern behind them. With legs around his waist, arms around his neck, and long fingers grasping and tugging at his hair, Genesis barely managed to pull away long enough to shrug out of his sword harness. The heavy, thick leather dropped to the carpet with a soft thud, immediately forgotten where it lay.

Somehow, Genesis managed to get his legs beneath himself to lift Haine from the floor and slam his back against the wall. The apology he'd intended to utter for the rough treatment was lost in a rush of air as sharp teeth clamped down on the side of his neck and deceptively slender limbs cinched around him painfully tight.

It took a strength of will comparable to that of Angeal's to resist the urge to flip the teen around and pound him into oblivion against the wall. Instead, he carried Haine down the hallway to the bedroom. At the very least, he wanted their first time to be in a bed. The rose petals and candles, however, would have to wait.

Genesis deposited the tiny albino on the end of the mattress and he immediately scooted up toward the pillows. The SOLDIER first was barely given a chance to slip his shirt off before Haine dragged him up to the head of the bed and pulled him down, pinning himself beneath the larger man.

Haine's eyes rolled back and he whimpered softly as the redhead attacked the side of his neck. He clawed at Genesis' back and shoulders as the elder's tongue and teeth sent jolts of lightening down his spine.

The momentary quiet of the previous song ending was suddenly shattered by the beginning of the next causing Haine and Genesis both to nearly jump out of their skin. Not wanting another rude interruption later, Genesis struggled to pull away, murmuring out between kisses, “Just- let me- turn that- mmh- off-”

With a gargantuan amount of effort, he managed to wriggle out of Haine's grasp and left the youth panting lightly on the bed as he made for the study to turn off the blaring music. By the time he returned, Haine had kicked off the last of his clothes and lay sprawling on the bed with a devious gleam lighting up his eyes.

Genesis was reminded of their first night together, but this time was different. This time, he knew what Haine wanted and was more than willing to give it to him. His breath caught in his throat as Haine slowly dragged the fingertips of one hand up one of his own thighs, completely avoiding his hardened and weeping length to trail up his chest and to the deep scars on his neck. He tilted his head back, exposing himself to Genesis who by that time was trying to wriggle out of his pants, boots, and underwear all at once and having no luck with any of it.

Rolling his eyes, Haine decided to take pity on the fiery first. He crawled to the end of the bed, leaning off of it to hook his fingers through the redhead's beltloops and pull him close. Immediately, Genesis abandoned his efforts on divesting himself to focus on groping and tasting as much of Haine as he could while the boy tugged skillfully at the numerous buckles and belts keeping him clad in leather.

He pressed his thumb to the underside of Haine's chin, turning the teen's face upward to capture his lips in a kiss and grunting into the youth's mouth as the last of his belts was undone and he was finally pulled free from the confines of his pants. A few more minutes of sloppy, heated kisses and blind tugging and Genesis was able to kick off his boots and send the remainder of his clothing flying.

The redhead found himself once again dragged down on top of Haine. The skin-on-skin contact sent liquid fire shooting through his veins and every thrust of his hips left fresh trails of sticky precum on the teen's skin.

Haine spread his legs, drawing his knees upward and angling himself so that he could feel Genesis' dripping hardness rubbing against his entrance. He let out a strangled groan of need as he tried to push the fiery first down and guide him in.

Genesis grunted as he struggled against Haine's grip, not wanting to hurt the teen by giving in to his impatience. “Wait. Stop,” he gasped out, leaning to one side so that he could pull open the drawer of his nightstand.

After fumbling blindly for a few moments in the drawer, Genesis' fingers closed around the brand new tube of lubricant that he'd purchased “just in case” and he pulled it out. As he settled back on top of Haine, a sudden and particularly well-aimed sharp bite to the side of his neck caused his body to seize up. The resulting clench of his hand crushed the tube he was holding and sent clear gel flying out of the tip to splatter all over the comforter.

Panting, Genesis stared at the crumpled and mostly empty tube in his hand for a few seconds before bursting out into peals of laughter. “I swear to God, that never happens!!”

Haine snickered into Genesis' shoulder. “Fook Mi, that was fast...”

Genesis grinned. “Oh, you're going the right way for a smacked bottom and I don't care who knows it!”

“Mmm. Yes, please,” Haine purred.

The teen's words shot straight to Genesis' cock and he grunted as his mind was flooded with delicious imagery and he unwittingly squished the last remaining gobs of gel out of the abused tube still clutched in his fist. Haine giggled beneath him and he looked down, a smirk of his own spreading across his lips as he turned the youth's mirth into a gasp of pleasure with a slow thrust, perfectly aimed to slide the length of the first's cock over his eagerly awaiting entrance.

Haine rolled his hips, desperately seeking the burning stretch of being filled and let out a soft yelp of despair as Genesis pulled away. Pleading red eyes opened to peer up into lust-clouded blue.

“Hold on,” Genesis said, his voice husky. Tossing the now useless tube over his shoulder with a snort, the redhead opted to simply scoop up some of the goo on the comforter. Smearing his hand through it, he made sure his fingers were well-coated. “I don't want to hurt you, okay? I just need to-”

“No. You don't. Gen, please. I can take it. I like it,” Haine persuaded. “Please. I can't wait. I need you now.”

Genesis bit his lip, but nodded against his better judgment. He quickly slicked himself with the gel coating his hand and lined himself up with Haine's unprepared entrance. He paused, studying his young lover carefully as he began to slowly force his way into the youth's body.

Haine lay perfectly still, his chest rapidly rising and falling as he waited. His eyes were closed tightly as he focused on relaxing and opening himself up to accept Genesis. He shook with anticipation and could feel the redhead's eyes roving over him. The pressure against his entrance increased and he whimpered loudly as the very tip of the fiery first's sizable length began stretching him open. The feeling was intense and electrifying and Haine found himself craving more of the burning pain of being stretched.

Before Genesis had a chance to react, thin legs had wrapped around his hips and pulled tight, drawing him in and burying him to the hilt in Haine's tight, spasming heat. His eyes crossed and he squawked ungracefully at the sudden overwhelming tightness. It was too much, too fast and Genesis very nearly lost his tenuous grip on control. He grasped Haine's narrow hips, desperately clinging to him and keeping him from moving.

Haine felt the flare of panic from the redhead and his eyes snapped open to search his face. “Did I hurt you?” he asked worriedly.

Genesis let out a breathy chuckle. “That's- my line,” he panted. He rested his forehead on Haine's shoulder. “Just- Just need a second.”

Haine laughed lightly, relaxing again. “I though you said that never happens,” he teased.

“You are the exception to every rule,” Genesis replied. “What made you think this would be any different?”

Haine smirked and turned his head to nuzzle against Genesis as he combed his fingers through strands of red. “Mmm. I'm ready whenever you are, babe,” he purred.

“Nngh! You keep talking like that and I really will lose it,” Genesis groaned.

Haine snickered. “Why am I not surprised that you like dirty talk?” He nibbled the elder's ear for a few seconds before whispering lustily into it. “Do you want me to beg?”

Genesis' hips jerked forward of their own accord. “Shit,” he swore sharply.

Haine's smirk widened and he panted softly into Genesis' ear. “Don't hold back.”

Hearing his own words used against him was the final straw. Genesis drew back, pulling nearly out of Haine before slamming back in and tearing a ragged cry from him. As he began thrusting quickly into the teen's tight passage, his hair was roughly grabbed and he was pulled down into a heated kiss.

Haine groaned loudly into Genesis' mouth as the elder's thickness stretched and stroked his interior walls with each powerful thrust. He wrapped his limbs around the soldier as tightly as he could, trying to pull him even closer as their tongues and teeth fought for dominance. He bit down on the soft juncture of Genesis' neck and shoulder, dragging both hands down his back to firmly grip the redhead's tight ass and drive him in even deeper than before.

Genesis tried to lift himself up onto his arms for better leverage, but was immediately pulled back down and drawn in for another deep kiss. It was obvious that Haine had no intention of loosening his squid-like grip on the first. Without breaking their kiss, he wrapped his arms around Haine, keeping their torsos flush as he pulled his knees beneath himself and lifted their hips. The new position put most of their weight on Haine's shoulders, but the teen seemed more than content to bear it for the increased speed, depth, and power it granted Genesis. In fact, the redhead doubted that he noticed the change at all until the new angle drove him firmly against the teen's prostate, reducing him to a mewling, shivering bundle of nerves.

Genesis sucked Haine's tongue into his mouth, wrestling with it playfully as he pounded into him. Their kiss was broken as Haine threw his head back and he happily moved his attention to the teen's exposed throat and collar bones. He could feel the telltale tightening of muscles as Haine drew close to orgasm and he arched away just enough to snake a hand between their bodies and grasp the boy's erection. Blunt nails dug into his shoulders as he fisted the teen's shaft and Genesis knew that neither one of them was going to last much longer.

He buried his face in Haine's neck, licking and nibbling the soft spot just beneath his ear. “Come for me, pup,” he commanded in a throaty whisper. No sooner had the words passed his lips than he felt Haine's body clamp tightly around his as a rush of fluid coated their stomachs. He continued to roughly stroke the teen inside and out as he finally allowed himself to succumb to the riptide of pleasure and came with a rough cry, emptying himself deep within the albino's tight passage.

Genesis collapsed on top of Haine, grateful that the teen seemed to very much enjoy being crushed beneath him. He huffed and panted roughly, feeling more spent and satiated than he could ever remember feeling in his life. Humming contentedly, he nuzzled into Haine's neck, gently kissing his way along the youth's jaw and to his mouth. Genesis managed to pry his eyes open then, smiling down at the lithe teen beneath him as he gently nibbled at his lower lip. He closed his eyes as Haine's fingers combed through his hair. “Mmmm. Love you.”

Haine grinned lopsidedly against Genesis' lips. “Love you, too.”

“You hurt?” Genesis asked, his post-orgasmic haze beginning to dissipate and allowing his doubt to begin creeping back in.

“Not in any way I don't like,” Haine murmured sleepily, his grin refusing to fade.

Genesis grinned back, sharing one more languid kiss with the boneless albino before hoisting himself up on his arms and carefully pulling away from- and out of -Haine. The milky fluid that dribbled from between his pale cheeks was tinted pink with blood and Genesis felt a fresh stab of guilt before a kick to his shoulder diverted his attention. He rubbed his shoulder as he looked at Haine in confusion and finally noticed the pouty glare the teen was giving him.

“Don't you dare start thinking like that. You didn't do anything I didn't ask you to,” he said stubbornly.

Genesis felt his cheeks redden. One would think he'd have been used to that by now... He smiled at Haine, letting go of his concerns. After all, nothing Genesis could do would ever compare to what had already been done... He quickly put a stop to that train of thought.

The fiery soldier surveyed the mess they had made with a small grimace. The comforter on the bed was a goopy disaster, and Haine wasn't looking much better. He considered grabbing a towel, but after looking over Haine's now-snoozing form again, decided against it. No, a towel simply would not suffice.

Haine grunted in surprise as he was suddenly scooped up off of the bed and into strong arms. “Gen, what are you doing?”

“Bath time!” Genesis sing-songed.

In no mood to disagree, Haine simply wrapped his arms around the soldier's neck and snuggled against him as he was carried to the bathroom.

+ + +

Once both young men were clean and dry, and the blanket on the bed had been swapped out, Genesis had gone around the apartment to shut off lights and make sure everything was secure for the night before returning to the bedroom. Haine had already gotten into bed, but instead of being snuggled in and awaiting the redhead's return, he was sitting up, staring thoughtfully at the pattern on the new comforter.

Genesis flipped off the light switch and joined the teen in bed, looking at him with concern as red eyes turned to him. Before he had a chance to speak, however, he was pulled down onto the soft pillows and warm arms wrapped tightly around his midsection.

“You called me pup,” Haine said suddenly, answering the redhead's unasked question.

Genesis froze up and his cheeks flushed bright crimson as he remembered the word slipping from his tongue. “Haine, I'm-”

Haine shook his head and pressed the pad of his thumb to the elder soldier's lips to silence him. “No. I liked it.” He stroked Genesis' lower lip with his thumb. “I want to be your puppy. I want... to belong to you.”

Genesis' lips turned upward in a smile and his eyes brightened. “I think I'd like that, too,” he murmured happily. “Mmm, you're so cute though. I'd be worried that someone might try to steal you. I think I might have to get you a collar- made,” he said, hesitating a fraction of a second before completing his thought. Thankfully, any doubts he might have had were assuaged a second later as Haine burst out laughing.

“Fine, but only if the tag says 'Property of Genny Bean' on it!”

“What?” Genesis asked, bewildered.

“Hey, you can't be the only one without a silly nickname.”

“Yea, but where the heck did you come up with 'Genny Bean'?”

“Y'know, Genny Beans... those little squishy candies you got from a fan that I ate because you don't like them?”

Genesis howled with laughter. “Je- jelly!” he wheezed. “Jelly beans!!”

Haine arched a brow. “But that doesn't sound like your name at all. I like 'Genny Beans' better.”

Genesis wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes as his breathing slowly returned to normal. “Ohhh, babe. Anything.” He giggled contentedly as he wrapped himself around Haine. “You can call me anything you want.”

= = =

“What's this one from?”

Genesis shivered, holding in a gasp as Haine slowly ran his tongue over one of the scars on his torso. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back onto his pillow, losing himself in the feeling as Haine began nibbling the slim, raised line just below his collarbone. “First mission in Wutai,” he sighed blissfully. “I got reckless.”

The flickering glow of the television screen offered the only illumination in the room, casting strange shadows over the pair on the bed as Haine continued to lavish attention over Genesis' soft skin. The day had been long and tiring for both of them and, after the previous night's activities, they were more than content to spent the evening relaxing in bed before turning in early.

“And what about this one?”

Genesis didn't even bother trying to stifle his moan as Haine gently lapped at a scar just beneath his bellybutton. Red eyes looked up at him expectantly and he chuckled. “Why are you so fascinated by my scars?”

“I don't know. I guess... because each one is a story. A piece of history. You and Zack and Angeal have a lot of history. Lots of memories, all over your skin. And... I don't have any,” Haine said, looking down at his own flawless chest and stomach. “I kinda think I should, though. I mean, a lot of times when I'd wake up after... after the fights, I'd be all bloody and my clothes would be ripped. Never had a mark on me though, no matter how much it hurt.”

Genesis frowned, stroking his fingertips down Haine's smooth skin. “I'll bet she just used materia on you. If you get to it quick enough, a high level cure can heal you completely with no trace of scarring.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. And once you're in SOLDIER, you'll see how mako makes you heal even faster.”

Haine sat back on the bed, contemplating something for a second. “Huh. Well that explains that.”

“Explains what?”

“Why Zack woke up so quick in the lab. It's one of the reasons Einstürzen said he was going to replace me. His neck and back healed up really fast and he woke up a lot sooner than the rest of us, too. Most of us had our stitches out before we even woke up. She thought it meant he was better than me. I guess it was just the mako though,” he explained, slithering under the covers and snuggling up against Genesis' side with a sleepy yawn.

The SOLDIER first kissed Haine on the top of the head as he turned the volume on the TV down to nothing. He absentmindedly brushed his fingertips down Haine's arm as he watched the ceaseless scrolling of headlines along the bottom of the news program. A flash of silver across the screen caught his attention and he shifted his focus back to the main story just in time to see Sephiroth fading from view. Even without hearing the reporter, Genesis knew what was being said. Hero of Wutai. Hero of ShinRa. Hero of Heroes... Not that it means anything to him.

Sephiroth had never cared for the attention that was lavished upon him. He spent most of his life cutting himself off, trying to hide away from the masses who would have loved him. Genesis had never understood how he could turn his back on those who looked up to him. Genesis sighed quietly and tried to dredge up even a spark of the old jealousy that used to rage within him, but found that he couldn't. He has the world. Adoration. Everything. Everything I ever wanted. Everything I ever dreamed of. Everything... except...

Genesis looked down at Haine's sleeping face. Somehow, the rest of the world just didn't seem so important anymore.

“Stop thinking so hard. You're going to burst into flames,” Haine mumbled sleepily into his chest.

The redhead grinned, chuckling lightly as he kissed Haine on the top of his head. “I'm sorry. Go to sleep,” he whispered as he turned the television off. The room was plunged into darkness and Genesis quietly placed the remote on the nightstand before snuggling against Haine and running his fingers through the teen's hair. He was just beginning to drift off himself when Haine's soft voice broke the silence.

“What's hurting you Genesis?”

The redhead snapped awake, his hand stopping in Haine's hair mid-stroke. “What are you talking about?”

“I can sense that you're in pain sometimes. But you never say anything. You pretend like it isn't there, but I can feel it.” He hoisted himself up, resting on an elbow and looking down at Genesis in the darkness. “So what is it? What's making you hurt?”

Genesis tried to smile reassuringly. “I don't know. I guess it's just a part of getting old.”

“You aren't old. You aren't. Not even close.”

“I know. I just... Sometimes I just don't think I was really cut out for SOLDIER. It's... been hard on me. But I don't want you worrying about me. Some people just get worn out earlier in life. It's nothing I can't live with. And someday I'll retire and then I can spend my days on the front porch in my rocking chair with my typewriter in my lap. And you can take care of me. Give me sponge baths every night,” he joked.

If Haine could sense the doubt the elder soldier had in his own assurances, he chose not to say anything.

= = =

The sun had barely begun to show its face when a sharp 'blip' rang through the room. Haine groaned and slung an arm over Genesis' sleeping form, groping around on the bedside table a moment before grabbing the first's PHS. He pulled it close to his face and flipped it open, his eyes scanning the text message. His brows drew together and he tossed the phone back onto the table.

Haine grabbed a hold of Genesis' shoulder, shaking him gently. “Gen, wake up. Lazard needs to see you in his office. Now.”

Genesis grunted, rolling over onto his stomach and burying his face in his pillow. “Five more minutes, mom,” came his muffled reply.

Haine rolled his eyes. He had no idea why Lazard was calling Genesis in so early, but it didn't matter. He needed to get the redhead up.

Gently running his fingertips up Genesis' spine, Haine brushed the strands of red hair away from the back of his neck. He leaned in, nibbling the exposed skin at the base of the soldier's skull. Genesis reacted immediately, moaning softly as he turned onto his side to expose his throat and body for Haine. The teen wasted no time in stroking his hand down the elder's side and to the front of his underwear to softly rub the half-hard flesh trapped within through the fabric. He continued suckling at the side of Genesis' neck as he felt him hardening and steadily began stroking faster and more firmly. Haine let out a soft moan of his own as the redhead turned to lay on his back, submitting himself fully to the attention. He kissed a trail from Genesis' neck down to a nipple, circling the sensitive bud with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth with a groan as the body beneath him jerked and Genesis let out a shuddering gasp of pleasure.

He could feel that Genesis was already close to coming, so he increased his efforts, wrapping a leg around the soldier's and thrusting against him as he moaned deeply around the nipple he continued to tease with his mouth and picked up the pace of his stroking. Seconds later, he felt the elder's cock bucking under his hand as the thrill of orgasm assaulted his senses, nearly dragging him over the edge as well.

As the body beneath his went lax, Haine gently disengaged, giving one last lick to the now-reddened nipple as he pulled away. He flopped back onto his side of the bed, ignoring his own desires for the time being. “There. Now you're a mess. Go get cleaned up.”

Genesis gave an irritated sigh, though the sated expression on his face belied his true feelings on the matter. He smiled warmly at Haine as the teen peered at him from behind his arm and was sorely tempted to suffer the slimy consequences of postponing his clean up in favor of reciprocating, but he knew that it would be moot to even try. Haine was stubborn and no amount of cajoling could change his mind once it was made up. “This had better be quick, Lazard,” he grumbled to himself as he rolled out of the bed and stripped out of the lone garment he wore before grabbing his clothes and heading for the bathroom to clean himself up and get dressed. If he hurried, he could be back in time to squeeze in a quickie before Haine had to leave for his classes...

= = =

“I apologize for calling you in so early, however something has come to my attention and I could not, in good conscience, let it pass by,” Lazard said coolly once both Genesis and Angeal were standing before his desk. His words were as cryptic as ever as he held out a folder to Genesis.

Genesis accepted the proffered folder, looking down as he opened it and scanning the contents with barely concealed disinterest before his eyes went wide. “This is-” he gasped, seeing an old photograph of a very young Haine looking up at him from the folder in his hands. “'Unit three'? Haine... Rammsteiner. Sex: male, Date of birth-” Genesis' head snapped up. “Today. His birthday. It's today,” he said, shocked. He looked back down at the paper, searching it. “There's no year. Just a day and month... Rammsteiner... That doesn't sound like he's from around here... Did you look up the name??”

Holding back a smirk at Genesis' abrupt shift in attitude, Lazard nodded, holding up another sheet of paper and reading from it. “The Rammsteiner family was last seen in Modeoheim-”

“Modeoheim!?” Genesis interrupted. “Modeoheim was abandoned nearly a decade ago!”

Lazard continued, ignoring the outburst. “Last seen in Modeoheim before setting out for Icicle Inn. They never arrived.” He set down the paper. “That was eleven years ago.”

Genesis sank into a chair, feeling numb and sick. “Eleven... years...” Eleven years of torture and abuse and monsters and pain. “How old was he?” His voice was little more than a whisper.

“It took some digging through old files, but we did manage to find his birth records. At the time he was taken, he was eight years old.” Lazard's tone was cool, but it had taken a fair amount of preparation to be able to keep his composure.

“Eight?” Genesis squeaked. The folder in his hands began to shake as he looked down at it, not even seeing it as his mind raced. Eight. Eleven. Nineteen. Haine was nineteen, not the assumed fifteen. Genesis had absolutely no idea how he should be feeling. “What did she do to them?” he asked, the tightness in his chest and throat clipping the words.

“Unfortunately, we are still uncertain of that.”

“What about the facility they were found in? What was it? Surely it was not something Einstürzen could have built,” Genesis pressed on.

Lazard paused for a moment, contemplating. “I'm sorry. At this time, I cannot answer that question, either.”

“What else did you find out? Tell us everything you can,” Angeal asked, placing a steadying hand on Genesis' shoulder before the redhead could allow emotion to get the best of him.

Lazard leaned back in his chair. “We also found records of a missing schoolteacher. One Mrs. Angelika Einstürzen.”

Genesis let out a soft gasp. “That classroom...”

“Apparently, shortly before the exodus from Modeoheim, there had been an accident. Several children were killed. One of them was Mrs. Einstürzen's son, Kenny.”

“Kenny... was her son?” Angeal asked, joining Genesis in one of the chairs in front of Lazard's desk.

Lazard nodded. “We were able to recover a journal she had been keeping. The earlier entries were of little interest. However, there is an abrupt shift shortly into it. She mentions a vision of an 'angel'; a beautiful woman who appeared in a dream and offered her a way to create what she referred to as 'the perfect child' - one who could withstand any amount of pain or suffering and would not succumb to an accident like the one that claimed her son's life. Most of the attempts were utter failure, resulting in the massive, hulking monstrosities that you encountered. The ones who survived the initial procedure were pitted against the failures and, eventually, against each other.

“It seems Haine was one of the first to undergo this mysterious surgical procedure, as well as being the most receptive to it. She mentions having done a substantial amount of 'tinkering' with his body, though what that could mean is anyone's guess. Our records do indicate that he was most likely one of her students before the accident. Perhaps that is why he was considered her favorite, and why she spent so much more time on 'perfecting' him than any of the others.”

“There is nothing written about the process used on the children?” Angeal asked, knowing that Genesis was most likely unable to voice the question.

“There is. A good deal, in fact. However, much of it is completely unintelligible. It may have made sense in her twisted mind, but to us, it is little more than gibberish. There is one thing, however that is referred to many times throughout her notes. 'The Cerberus Spine'. Does that hold any meaning for either of you?”

Angeal simply shook his head, but Genesis' eyes narrowed in thought. “Spine? When we recovered Zack, he had an incision running the full length of his spine. Haine has a similar scar. Cerberus I don't recognize, but if she tampered with their spinal columns... You don't think... They couldn't have been replaced, could they?”

“That would be impossible. A spinal transplant would have killed them, there's no way a body could accept that much trauma and survive– let alone function,” Angeal said. “It must refer to a type of procedure, then. Did you manage to find anything on it?”

“Our research has turned up nothing useful, only that the name Cerberus is that of one of the ancient gods believed in by the citizens of the northern towns.”

“Well, that makes a sort of sense then. If they were from Modeoheim, it could explain the name, but that doesn't help us to know what it means.” Genesis frowned, the expression bordering on a pout.

“Alright then. Tell me, have you noticed any odd behavior coming from either of the boys?” Lazard continued.

Angeal was quick to answer. “No, Zack has been performing his duties as well as ever and Haine is making phenomenal progress in his classes. They both have had a few incidents of nightmares, but that is no different than most new soldiers' reaction to seeing war for the first time.”

“And Haine is genuine in his interest to join SOLDIER?”

“Yes,” Genesis said without hesitation, though his voice was still strained. “He wants to help people. There is not a doubt in my mind that he would do whatever it takes to accomplish that.”

“And the living arrangements, they are still satisfactory?”

“Yes,” both soldiers said a little too quickly.

“Very good.” Lazard gave another cryptic, knowing smile at the pair before him. “You have both been given the day off. Zackary, as well. A helicopter is waiting on the roof to take you to the ShinRa beach house in Costa del Sol. I hope you use the time off well. After all, you have an awful lot of birthdays to make up for.”

“Thank you, sir!” Genesis said, jumping up from his seat. He could have kissed the man. Instead, he offered up a bright, thankful grin - one he actually meant - and saluted respectfully before turning to leave.

“One last thing, gentlemen,” Lazard said quietly, drawing their attention back to him before they made it out the door. He fiddled with the edge of another folder on the desktop, looking uncharacteristically uncertain for a moment. “Is Haine aware... that he had a sister?”

~ ~ ~

Hainemon uses Morningwood against Genemon!

It's super effective!!

*is shot*

MWAHAHA. Plot thickens. :3 Tune in next time for EPIC BIRTHDAAAAY!!!11@!!ONE

Song in the beginning is “Resistance” by Muse. An amazing band with one of the most unique sounds I've ever heard. Aptly named, too. These guys have offered up plenty of inspiration along the way in this fic. XD Highly recommended if you have good taste in music. :P

Genesis needs to stop wearing so much damned clothing! It's totally not conducive to spontaneous-smut writery! D:< I think Haine would agree. x3

“I swear to god that never happens!” Etc. - OHO! Yes, another Austin Powers reference! Ah... Goldmember is just soooo quotable. This is most likely not the last you'll be seeing of this. >:3