Work Text:
There was never truly a moment's peace for Angeal. Not anymore anyways. Long gone were the days of leisurely visiting with his friends. He never thought he'd say it, but he actually missed Genesis’ constant quoting of LOVELESS. Even going to bed had started to become troublesome.
The ever so familiar sound of SOLDIER boots quickly hitting the floor abruptly cut off any reflecting Angeal had been doing. Paired with a snort of laughter from Genesis and an amused hum from Sephiroth, Angeal could feel every muscle in his body tensing. The running grow closer, too close, too fast, before abruptly stopping beside his chair.
“Hey Angeal!” Zack greeted with a smile, his never ending energy in full swing.
“Zack,” Angeal sighed. “How many times have I told you not to run inside?”
“Oh, sorry! I just get so excited when I see you!” The young boy grinned even bigger, not a hint of an actual apology in sight.
“Of course…” Angeal muttered.
“Are we gonna train today?” Zack interrupted. “You said we would!”
Angeal struggled to even work up the energy to stand. He had promised Zack he would train with him that day. But just the boy's meer presence drained him of all his energy, let alone what training with him would do. He fought with himself internally. Was it worth trying to come up with an excuse to not train him?
“How about training with someone else just as good as Angeal, if not better?” Genesis asked from where he sat upon the communal table.
Zack's gaze landed on him, all hint of excitement completely gone as Genesis gestured to himself with the wave of his hand. The raven haired boy scanned the other SOLDIER, his blue eyes roaming from top to bottom.
“Mm, no thanks.” He said disinterestedly before turning back to Angeal.
Sephiroth snorted as Genesis gasped in offense, his hand to his chest. Sephiroth knew better than to even try and grab the boy's attention. Angeal was his target, and if he had learned anything from the stories so far, Zack wouldn't leave until he got what he wanted.
“You know Angeal,” Genesis practically seethed through clenched teeth. “You're not allowed to have pets on the premises.”
Zack turned sharply to face him, the excitement returned in full force. He snapped his head back to Angeal, bouncing in barely controlled joy.
“You have a secret pet Angeal!?”
“Yes. A puppy.” Genesis sneered at his old friend.
Angeal could've punched him. In fact, he would. Not now though. Later, when Zack wasn't around. He didn't need the young teen to see him commit a murder.
“Oh!” Zack said suddenly before lowering his voice to a whisper. “It's a secret right? So can I see it?”
Angeal gave his protege a weary look. Of course he'd take Genesis' words literally.
“Fine.” The 1st Class sighed, resigning himself to another boisterous training session. He stood from the firm armchair he had resided in before pausing. “You had homework didn't you?” He could've sworn the boy hadn't finished his work from the day before. It had been a long and tedious night before Angeal had finally given up and just told him to go to bed. Not to mention, he came home with homework every night, and a lot of it. “Did you finish everything?”
Zack's joyful demeanor immediately began to lose steam at the question. His eyes slid to his left as he bit his bottom lip.
“Um,” he drew out. Wringing his hands behind his back and out of Angeal’s view. “I did some of it earlier.”
“Some?”
“Yeah?”
“How much is ‘some’?”
“I don't know, just… I’m almost done so I’ll just finish it later!”
Zack was dumber than they considered if he actually thought Angeal believed him.
“I find that really hard to believe.” Angeal deadpanned as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“Who cares!” Zack groaned out in frustration. “I’ll just do it all on the weekend and turn it in Monday!”
“That's not how these things work.”
“That’s what I did back home!”
“Were you homeschooled?” Genesis quipped at the incredulous claim.
“Please Angeal! I promise I’ll finish it later!”
The three 1st class SOLDIERs could easily say they’d never seen such a pitiful sight. The young teen’s hands were clasped desperately before him, eyes wide and pleading, bottom lip stuck out in the tiniest of pouts. The perfect picture of a begging puppy.
Angeal tried to look away, he really did. He was a powerful man, a weapon some might say. He needed to remain steadfast. A SOLDIER would never crumble under such an embarrassing tactic.
Letting out a sigh and feeling slightly ashamed, Angeal decided on his answer. “Fine. But you only get an hour.”
Zack’s pout disappeared so fast that it made Angeal consider brushing up on interrogation tactics. That, or enroll the boy into acting.
“All right! Thanks Angeal!” Zack exclaimed after he was done cheering. He dashed down the hall without another word, not waiting for his mentor.
“I’m making you run 20 laps first!” Angeal hollered after. The joy could still be heard as Zack acknowledged the punishment, not disheartened in the slightest.
Now for the other two. Angeal could just keep his back to them, walk away without another word. He didn't have to stay and acknowledge the criticism and remarks they were sure to make. After all, Zack was waiting for him. What kind of instructor would he be if he kept him waiting?
“Angeal, Angeal…” Genesis jokingly chided. “Don't tell me he's starting to grow on you?”
“Sounds like he's getting a soft spot for the boy.” Sephiroth joined in.
Angeal's brow twitched. If it were anybody else he could've easily walked away. Being that these were his friends however–and clearly having shown his newfound weak spot to them–he couldn't just leave without the last word.
“At least he likes me.” The 1st smirked confidently before following after his long gone student.
Genesis gaped after him, reminded of the utter disrespect the young 3rd had given him just minutes before. He humphed in annoyance. “That's the last time I try and help him.”