Perception

[skeren]

Title: Perception
Fandom: FFVII
Pairing: Seph/Zack
Rating: R
Warnings: None I can think of
Word count: 366
Summary: Sephiroth had no idea why Zack offered him such things.


Sometimes, it was just too overwhelming being who he was. Those were the times when he desperately wanted to retreat, to walk away and recover himself, but he was rarely given such chances. Instead his duties pulled him more and more tightly strung, and he knew he was far from the calm visage he took care to present to those in power, the expressionless a precaution taken for the simple reason that all should not know the roil and pitch of his unsteadiness.

A few over the years had been able to successfully tell when he was in such a twisted position. Fewer had found a way to help.

Zack was one of those few, coming to him as the last of the battles died down, staying close to his side. He helped ward away those that didn't need immediate orders, and they retreated to another area where he could be away from it. He still couldn't relax, of course, but it was clear that the younger man was aware of that. The way he was watching him said he was, and he stayed near, patient, waiting.

"Why do you do this?" It wasn't the first time the man had come with him this way, but it was the first time he'd asked instead of simply taking what he was offered.

The teen dug through a bag near his bedding and padded back to him, simply reaching up and pressing a small oil bottle into his palm, utterly at ease even though deadly tension hadn't fully left him yet and was a risk to the one touching him. "You need somebody Seph. So just… Well, I'll be that somebody."

That was no real answer. Curling his fingers around the oil, he didn't try to get more clarity out of him, didn't try to convince him that he required a true answer, instead seeking one from his lips as his fingers curled tight in black hair. If one could not be spoken, then perhaps one could be found in the form, the secret that drew the man in uncovered as easily as clothes were removed.

If not, well… then it was certainly not for lack of trying.

Comments

[dmitchell1985.insanejournal.com]

I simply loved this! I adore fics where Zack just has this way of getting under Sephiroth's skin. I love it when after heaven knows how much prodding, Sephiroth knows to just give in already. : )

[skeren.insanejournal.com]

::laughs:: It's not the prodding just the... sense of need? ::nods:: Yes, I think that's the right way to put it. The sense of need is accepted.

[dmitchell1985.insanejournal.com]

I got that, too, but I definitely think Zack (and others in canon) have something to do with Sephiroth giving in to the need to interact with other people. I haven't had a chance to play Crisis Core yet, but I saw a few scenes. In my head, I can definitely see someone stubbornly telling Sephiroth that he needs connections just like everyone else.

Or, is it just me?

[skeren.insanejournal.com]

Oh no, not at all. In CC, well. Angeal outright -asks- Sephiroth the first time he sees him after everything starts going down if he's lost weight. As a greeting ::coughs:: so yes. Seph needs attentions.