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Sephiroth didn’t want to be here.
The annual Shinra costume party was a crime against decency, and the fact that it was mandatory only made it worse. Mandatory attendance and mandatory costumes, which included mandatory masks so whatever debauchery the executives got up to could be plausibly deniable.
This year was supposed to be different. Aerith was supposed to be Fair’s plus one, and they’d come up with a cute Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Wolf costume set. Sephiroth had been looking forward to an evening roasting the costumes with his sister. But then she’d come down ill the night before and had to cancel.
So he found himself sitting alone on a couch, one of multiple ‘Sephiroth in a black mask’s that the party was full of. Irritating as it was to see so many people dressed as him, it did have the added benefit of both not having to find a costume as well as the fact that most people assumed that he wouldn’t come as himself, therefore sparing him the tedious attentions of those looking to impress him.
Despite the fact that people were supposed to attempt to be anonymous, the vast majority were easily spotted. Even his own friends, Genesis and Angeal, were blatantly obvious. Not that it mattered, they were still in the shiny new phase of their relationship upgrade and had less time for him. He didn’t begrudge them their happiness, or his sister hers with Zack, but it just seemed that everyone was pairing up lately and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
He also wasn’t sure how he felt about the plus one Fair brought. Aerith had assured Sephiroth that it was fine because they were all friends, but the petite blonde in Aerith’s costume hanging on Fair’s fur covered arm set up his hackles. They were perhaps too friendly.
Rufus Shinra had come by earlier. The two of them had a tenuous budding camaraderie ever since the incident that lead to encouraging multiple Sephiroth costumes, in order to allow Sephiroth to come as himself and still remain somewhat anonymous. Rufus had a deep regard for malicious compliance and had taken it as a badge of honor that Sephiroth had included him. Sephiroth had a deep regard for not having to wear more than one ridiculous costume for work. They would never be close, but it was nice to know that the heir to the company viewed him as more than just a weapon.
But now he was alone, watching the drunk employees of Shinra attempt to dance and or possibly make out with one another. Or at least he was, until he saw the bundle of red poofy skirts stomp over to his couch and then flop itself down next to him.
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow behind his mask at the petite blonde. She was wearing a hood but twin braids hung out the front and she had an adorable pout on her lips beneath her crimson mask. She huffed, then realized she wasn’t alone and turned to him.
“Sorry, is it okay if I sit here? It’s just,” she said, with a voice deep enough for Sephiroth to reassess that assumption, and waved his gloved hand at the rest of the party. “A lot, you know?”
“I do,” Sephiroth agreed.
“Thanks. I kinda didn’t realize what I was getting into. I came with a friend, his girlfriend got sick. And guess who fit in her costume,” he sighed.
“And so you were required to attend?” Sephiroth asked wryly.
Red sighed. “Zack said his costume would be ruined without Red Riding Hood to go with the Wolf. And he said there’d be SOLDIERs here too,” he admitted, his cheeks going a bit red under the crimson mask.
It was kind of cute.
“You wish to meet SOLDIERs?” Sephiroth asked.
“Oh, I guess you are one, huh? Sorry, I didn’t mean to be weird. It’s just that I wanna join, you know?”
Sephiroth inclined his head.
“Oh, I’m gonna grab a drink! You want anything?”
“As you’ve just pointed out, I’m a SOLDIER. It takes an incredible amount of alcohol to feel any effect so I don’t bother.”
“Oh,” Red said, and toyed with the hem of his skirt. “Well, if all it takes is a whole lot, this seems like the perfect chance right? Open bar, with Shinra footing the bill?”
He had a point. Sephiroth had never been properly drunk before. He smiled. “Do you see the angel over there with the big white wings?” he asked, pointing at Rufus.
Red nodded.
“Tell him I want to get drunk. He’ll make it happen.”
“Oh, okay. Be right back!” Red agreed before trotting off.
Sephiroth watched as Red tromped across the ballroom and right up to Rufus, butting right between him and a very scantily clad woman in a red dress with devil horns. Scarlet was less than pleased at Red’s interruption, but Rufus smoothed it over. He handed Red his drink, patted Red on the head and then entwined his arm with Scarlet’s and guided her over to the bar.
Red returned and flopped back down. “Who is that guy anyway? Is this safe to drink?” he asked, sniffing it.
“Probably not,” Sephiroth admitted. There was no telling what Rufus might have added to his own drink.
Red shrugged. “Promise me if I die you’ll cry at my funeral,” he said before taking a sip.
“Should I come dressed like this?” Sephiroth asked.
Red almost spit out his drink, then held the back of his hand to his mouth while he coughed. “Oh my gods, yes.” He turned to grin up at Sephiroth. “That’d give ‘em something to talk about.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
A bartender in a french maid costume rolled a loaded cart over to them. “I’ll leave the cart, but can I mix you up anything special before I go?” she asked.
Red held out his cup. “More of whatever this is?”
The maid smiled. “Of course, and for you?” She asked turning to Sephiroth.
“Whatever’s strongest.”
“Soldier serum,” she nodded and began mixing. Red’s drink she put in a tall glass, but Sephiroth’s she made a full pitcher of. “If you want me to make more, just wave me down!” she said, winking at them before sashaying off.
“Can I taste it?” Red asked, looking at the pitcher of green liquid. Sephiroth grabbed two empty glasses. He poured about a shot into one, and filled the other.
Red nodded to the smaller glass. “Is that all you’re having?” he grinned.
Sephiroth pushed the shot glass at him and chuckled. “Here. Don’t want to kill you yet.”
“I’m touched,” he smiled and accepted the smaller glass. He took a sip and made a face. “Whoa, that’s … something.”
Sephiroth took a sip as well. It wasn’t the worst thing he’d ever tasted, but it did burn going down. If masochism was a drink, it would be this. Genesis probably invented it. He drank more.
Red went back to his own drink and sipped thoughtfully. “Does it seem weird to you that there are so many people here dressed up as Sephiroth? I mean, I get that he’s popular but I woulda thought that it would be sort of … I dunno, frowned upon?”
Sephiroth chuckled. “It’s required, actually. At least seven people have to dress as Sephiroth, if not more.”
Red laughed. “What? Why?”
“The first year Sephiroth attended and was told that he had to come in costume, he came dressed as a mad scientist and really got into the role. Once the President realized that he had Rufus tied to the banquet table and was dissecting his costume, the costume requirement was changed so that Sephiroth could attend as himself and still be plausibly anonymous.”
“He tied Rufus to a table and what? That… sounds pretty tame for a Shinra party honestly!” he laughed.
“Usually it’s not the President’s son being stripped on the table but otherwise you are correct.”
“So what, now a bunch of people dress up as Sephiroth so he can also just… dress up as himself?”
“That’s the gist, yes.”
Red looked thoughtful. “Are you saying you could be Sephiroth?”
“It’s entirely within the realm of possibility.”
“Huh. So do they randomly assign people or do you have to sign up or what?”
“To my knowledge, there’s never been a shortage of volunteers. It helps that Shinra provides the wig and outfit.”
“Oh, that’s cool. So’s that why you came as him?”
“It was certainly the easiest,” Sephiroth agreed.
“It definitely, uh, suits you…” Red smiled from behind his cup, giving Sephiroth a good once over. “Is there a size requirement? Because I definitely couldn’t fill that out.”
“At least five people have to be of the general size but anyone is allowed to dress as him. Shinra will provide tailored outfits.”
“Oh sweet! I guess I know what I’m doing if I ever get actually invited. What do you think?” Red asked hopping up and spinning around. “Black leather suit me?”
Sephiroth eyed him as Red struck various poses with all the grace of someone a few drinks in. “Hmm. The littlest Sephiroth. I could see it.”
Red stuck out his tongue. “I’m not the ‘littlest’ anything!”
Sephiroth looked around the room pointedly, sipping his drink.
Red sighed. “Okay, point taken.” He climbed back on the couch and sat pressed against Sephiroth, who pretended not to notice how warm his diminutive new friend was.
Red grinned up at him. “It definitely looks better on you anyway. Is it weird dressing up like your co-worker? Or is he your boss?” Red sat back, grabbed his drink and finished it off before Sephiroth could think of a reply.
“Oh man, I’m sorry! You were sitting over here to not have to talk to anyone and I came over and won’t shut up. I’m not usually this talkative. You can ask Zack, you work with him right?”
Sephiroth smiled. “No one talks much around Zack, he doesn’t stop talking long enough.”
Red laughed. “Yeah, totally. But you’re really easy to talk to.”
“I’ve never been accused of being easy to talk to before.”
“Maybe you spend too much time with Zack.”
“Perhaps.” Sephiroth found the bottom of his pitcher. Odd, that went quickly. He went to the cart and quickly whipped up another pitcher.
“Oh, you know how to make that?”
“I watched her. You want another shot?”
“Yes please!” Red grinned.
Sephiroth poured him a shot in a regular glass and handed it over. “So how do you know Zachary?”
“Hmmm, we met on a mission. We’re both from the boonies, so he adopted me basically. I thought it was just for the mission but then he started hanging out and inviting me to do stuff so I guess we just became friends. He’s trying to help me train for the SOLIDER exams but I don’t know. I’m so small.”
“That just means you’re likely fast and harder to catch. Mako will do the rest. The exam is to make sure you’ll be capable of learning the skills you’ll need to do well in SOLDIER.”
Red sipped his drink. “You think so?”
“Determination and the will to succeed are far more important than size and strength.”
Red grinned. “Ma always said I was a stubborn son of a bitch.”
“Surprising she would speak of herself in that manner.”
Red laughed out loud again. “You’re funny,” he said coyly from behind his cup.
Sephiroth looked at him to see if he was being made fun of, but Red seemed to be earnest. He relaxed and took a drink as well. He was feeling warm and fuzzy, but he wasn’t sure if he was finally starting to feel the effects of the alcohol two pitchers in, or if it was Red’s smile and bright blue eyes.
“I find your company to be pleasing as well.”
Red grinned. “I’m glad. Maybe someday we’ll be coworkers.” Red leaned against him again. “Maybe we can do a dumb matching costume set.”
“Save you from Fair’s wonderfully creative ideas?”
“Or his girlfriend’s. Admittedly this did look way better on her. Have you met Aerith?”
“I have.”
“She’s so cool. The two of them are so awesome. That’s why I couldn’t say no, she was so upset she couldn’t come and didn’t want Zack to be sad.”
“They do care for each other quite a bit.”
“Yeah, it’s cute. And they’re both like, super hot. Unfairly so. Although,” Red eyed him up and down again. “I imagine you know what it’s like to be super hot.”
“Only when I’m stationed in the desert.”
“Silly,” Red grinned. He finished his drink and looked at Sephiroth appraisingly. “So, where’s your plus one?”
“Ah,” Sephiroth sighed, refilling both glasses. “I came alone.”
“No missus Sephiroth for you? Or mister, I don’t judge.”
“I am a solitary Sephiroth.” He handed a glass to Red who took it happily.
“Good. Um, I mean.” Red blushed and took a big gulp of his drink then choked on it and started coughing. Sephiroth grabbed his cup in time and gently pat him on the back until he recovered. When Red looked up again, his face was almost as crimson as his hood.
“Oh gods, that came out wrong.”
“Yes, generally it’s preferable if the liquids you ingest traverse your digestive system.”
Red stared at him for a moment in shock before he hauled back and punched Sephiroth in the bicep with a surprising amount of force for his diminutive size. “You ass!” he laughed.
Sephiroth smiled and handed back the glass. “Now you see why I’m single.”
Red assessed him with a look. “Hmm. Makes a good mixed drink, caring and thoughtful, quirky sense of humor, and painfully attractive. Yeah, I can see why no one would want to date you,” he said, finishing his statement by sticking out his tongue.
Sephiroth had to contain his impulse to catch that tongue with his teeth. That was definitely not his usual reaction to a tongue pointed at him.
Instead, he asked what now seemed like a natural follow up question. “And you? Any mister or missus Red’s?”
“Nope, just an overprotective big bad wolf,” he grinned.
Sephiroth leaned closer. “He’s not doing a very good job of protecting you right now.”
Red looked at him coyly from behind his glass. “Are you going to try to eat me, big bad Sephiroth?”
“Perhaps just a nibble,” Sephiroth growled, leaning close.
Red bit his lip. “Just a nibble? And here I thought SOLDIERS had big appetites.”
“If I ate you all up, what would I send back to your first sergeant?”
“Just leave my middle finger, you can put it on his desk,” Red grinned.
Sephiroth took one of Red’s hands and gently bent down all the fingers but the middle one, before holding it up to his lips. “This one?”
Reds eyes widened and he bit his lip. “Yeah, that works.”
“Hey! What are you guys doing?” Zack broke in cheerfully. Red jerked his hand back and they both turned to the grinning wolf standing before them.
“Just trying to figure out the best way to give my first sarge the middle finger,” Red quipped. Sephiroth blinked at the wolf passively.
“Oh. Huh. Sure. Just wanted to come by and make sure you were doing okay, Spikey! But it looks like you made a friend…?” Zack raised an eyebrow at Sephiroth.
“Yeah, Wolfy, this is Sephiroth,” Red said with a flourish.
“It sure is,” Zack agreed with a laugh. “Wait a minute… are you drunk Spike?”
“Maaaaaybe?” he grinned.
Zack looked at Sephiroth who was sipping his own drink. “And you too? Oh boy. Well now I absolutely have to get a picture for Aer, or she’ll never believe me,” he laughed pulling out his PHS and snapping a quick photo before the two could react.
“That never goes public,” Sephiroth said flatly.
“Yeah yeah, I know.” Zack stuck out his tongue. Thankfully, Sephiroth had his much more normal reaction of restraining himself from cutting it off. Maybe his reaction to Red wasn’t purely the alcohol…?
“Well you two kids have fun! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! And hey, be gentle with him okaaaaay?”
“I won’t hurt your friend,” Sephiroth sighed.
Zack barked out a laugh. “I was talking to HIM,” he explained, pointing at Red before winking and sauntering off.
Sephiroth turned to Red. “Tiny and dangerous, hmmm?”
“Only to idiot wolves who talk too much,” Red grinned with bared teeth. “I’m gonna kill Zack.”
“Please don’t. I have a vested interest in his well being for now. Perhaps I could offer you a distraction?” Sephiroth asked, standing and holding out a hand.
Red looked at the offered hand, then up at Sephiroth. Then back at the hand. “Are you asking me to dance?”
“Would you care to dance?”
Red giggled madly, then stood and took Sephiroth’s hand. “Sure, why the hell not?”
Genesis had forced Sephiroth to learn a variety of dances as to not embarrass his fiery-haired friend at formal functions. Red, however, quite obviously had no such training and was joyfully stumbling into Sephiroth and stepping all over his boots. Sephiroth found himself completely charmed and not at all annoyed which was highly suspect. It was just impossible to be irritated when he looked down into those bright blue eyes sparkling with delight.
Eventually, Sephiroth just scooped up his diminutive dance partner with one arm and swept them both around the dance floor, oblivious to the stares of others. All that mattered were the delighted grins of Red and the heady feeling of those fingers in his hair.
“Sorry, I should have warned you I don’t know how to dance,” Red beamed, obviously not sorry at all.
“You didn’t have to pretend to fail at dancing if you wanted to be in my arms,” Sephiroth countered.
Red laughed and tucked his face against Sephiroth’s neck. “This is nice,” he murmured softly, so only Sephiroth’s enhanced hearing could pick it up. He was unsure if he was meant to hear, but he purred softly in response. Red was right, this was nice. He thought he might finally understand the appeal of dancing. Or maybe it was just the appeal of Red. He didn’t care enough to dance with anyone else to test the hypothesis.
The moment lasted through several songs and a handful of glares Sephiroth had to send at people who dare wander too close. He felt warm and fuzzy around the edges and something about the person who had their arms wrapped around his neck felt precious and rare. He was starting to think that perhaps Red had dozed off, which he found he would not have minded at all.
Rufus caught his eye and gave him a wink. Sephiroth stuck his tongue out at him, then laughed when Rufus nearly fell over in surprise. Red leaned back and looked at him sleepily at the laugh, blinking his owlish eyes.
“Did I wake you?”
“Wasn’t sleep,” Red yawned. “Little dizzy though. I should eat something.”
“Mmm, lets,” Sephiroth agreed and wandered over to the table of hor d’vours table. “Should I put you down or just grab a plate?”
“No down, food only,” Red grumbled.
Sephiroth smiled fondly and began assembling a plate one-handed. Once he had it together, he handed it to Red. “Hold this, I’ll get us some water as well.”
Red held the plate while Sephiroth grabbed a pitcher of water, then walked back to the couch. He deposited the pitcher on the drink cart then deposited Red on the couch before sitting beside him.
Still fuzzy from drink and sleepiness, Red snuggled closer.
“Careful, you'll knock the plate over,” Sephiroth murmured softly, picking it up and setting it on his own lap.
“I'll knock you over,” Red grinned.
“I thought Zachary told you to be gentle with me.”
Red snorted. “Zachary. His name is Zaaaaaack.”
“You are very drunk, aren't you?”
Red smirked and picked a skewer of meat off the plate and nibbled it coyly.
“Zack is so fond of nicknames, it's only fair he gets a taste of his own medicine.”
Red giggled. “Fair!”
Sephiroth snorted. It wasn't as if the joke hadn't been made a million times but this time the delight on Red's face made it worthwhile.
“Although Zachary isn't the best of his nicknames. Genesis began referring to him as Angeal's puppy, and it stuck.”
“Oh my god! Yes! Hahahaha, he's not a wolf, he's a puppy. I didn't have to wear this stupid costume after all,” he laughed.
“Oh, I wouldn't go that far. I would hate to think of the Puppy with no one to hold his leash, since Aerith wasn't available.”
“I guess I'm shirking my leash duties.”
“I'm Zachary's commanding officer, I'm within my rights to have commandeered you for my purposes tonight.”
“Oh, does that mean I should be leashing you?” Red asked coyly.
Heat rushed through Sephiroth at the words. He wouldn't have thought to find the idea of being at the end of a length of leather to be so thrilling but there was just something about Red. He set the plate aside, not wanting anything between the two of them.
“If you'd like,” he purred.
“And me without a leash.”
“I'm sure Rufus would have one you can borrow.”
“I totally would ask if I a) could tell which one was Rufus and b) could walk in a straight line.”
“I can solve one of those problems for you. Rufus is the angel who gave you that first drink.”
Red froze, then turned to stare at Sephiroth. “What. No way.”
The two of them looked across the ballroom to see the angel lounging in a chair with two women dressed as what one could only assume would be 'sexy Turk' costumes sitting on his knees, their ties in one hand and a glass of deep red wine in the other.
“Oh no, actually I can see it now,” Red sighed.
Sephiroth laughed.
“I can't believe you had me go demand drinks for you from Rufus Shinra. Do I even want to know who he was dancing with?”
“Probably not.”
“I'm never going to be able to show my face again ever.”
“You're wearing a mask, but don't worry. If Rufus could tell who you are, you put yourself on his good list tonight.”
“Seriously?”
“Mhmm. Don't worry Red, I'd not put you in harms way.”
“My own guardian pet Sephiroth,”
“Pet?” Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, but the idea of being possessed by Red was much more appealing than he would have expected.
“Well, yeah,” Red looked up at Sephiroth through his eyelashes. “That's usually what you put on a leash, isn't it?”
Sephiroth let out a low growl. Red's eyes widened, then he bit his lip and let his eyes travel up and down Sephiroth's form.
“Hmmmm,” Red hummed and sat up. He caught Sephiroth's eye before slowly reaching out and trailing his fingers on the leather straps of Sephiroth's chest harness. “Maybe these would work instead...”
Red wrapped his fingers around the straps, sliding his fingers between the leather and Sephiroth's bare chest. He pulled himself up onto Sephiroth's lap and gazed deeply into his eyes.
Sephiroth set his hands lightly on Red's hips. “Well?”
Red grinned and pulled the straps towards himself. Sephiroth let himself be pulled forward into a kiss.
The kiss was clumsy and sloppy and perfect.
Red missed with his first attempt and caught the corner of Sephiroth's mouth. With a little giggle he adjusted and the two rubbed noses before their lips met carefully. A gentle press was a prelude to a more urgent nudge and Sephiroth felt Red's tongue lightly trace his upper lip before he opened to let the kiss deepen.
Red moaned indecently and clutched Sephiroth's straps with a death grip, in a drunken attempt to get closer as he licked and sucked at Sephiroth's mouth. Red's balance was getting wobbly which only added to the sloppiness of his attentions. Although Sephiroth found himself surprisingly not minding; Red's drunken urgency was exciting and thrilled him; he braced the smaller man, looping one arm around his back and the other hand gently cupping Red's jaw.
Red paused his assault to nuzzle into Sephiroth's palm before turning back and blinking coyly at him.
“This is okay?” Red asked slightly shyly, in contrast to his deathgrip.
Sephiroth slid his hand up and down Red's back. “Very okay,” he purred and guided Red's face back towards his own.
Just as they met, a wolf-whistle cut through their moment.
Red jolted back, but his grip on Sephiroth's straps as well as Sephiroth's own balancing hand saved him a tumble backwards. Sephiroth glared towards the source of the sound only to see his soon to be dead ex-brother-in-law-to-be grinning wildly at them both.
“Zack!!” Red cried out. “You ass!”
Zack laughed with his whole body. “Oh man Spikey, you don't waste any time do ya?”
Red responded by grabbing any loose items nearby, mostly shot glasses and hor d’vours, and throwing them at his now ex-best friend. His drunken aim was surprisingly more accurate than Sephiroth would have expected and he smirked at Zack as he dodged the best he could.
“Whoa, hey now! Watch it! You're gonna hurt somebody!” Zack laughed as he caught a small sausage and popped it in his mouth.
Red turned to Sephiroth. “You're a SOLDIER, right? Can you throw the whole drink cart at him?”
Sephiroth grinned wolfishly and gave a nod.
“Whoa whoa, you wouldn't,” Zack said, waving his arms.
“Please excuse me,” Sephiroth said to Red before gently lifting him from Sephiroth's lap and depositing him on the couch.
Zack's eyes widened comically. “Really?”
Sephiroth stood.
“Okay! Message received! Leaving now!” Zack waved his hands in front of him before darting off.
Sephiroth turned to Red who had slumped down on the couch and was kicking his feet cutely.
Red snorted out a laugh. “That's pretty handy.”
“SOLDIER strength does have it's benefits,” Sephiroth agreed, resettling himself next to Red.
With all of the focus and intensity of a very drunken person, Red pulled himself up and crawled back onto Sephiroth's lap. “Much better,” he grinned, even as he started to wobble.
“Are you sure you're feeling well?” Sephiroth asked, again balancing Red with one hand on his back. He slid the other along his cheek and brushed his thumb across Red's lips.
“Hmmmm, kinda tired. But this is important,” Red declared.
“It is,” Sephiroth agreed. “Important enough to continue after a bit of a rest?” he suggested.
“Oh yeah, okay. First sleep then kisses. Perfect,” Red agreed. He immediately tucked his head under Sephiroth's jaw, nuzzling his chest gently. Sephiroth purred softly and rubbed circles against Red's back.
Red's breathing quickly evened out into an obvious sleep pattern and Sephiroth relaxed against the couch. He enjoyed the warm weight of the other man laying on him, the silky slide of the dress against his gloved hand. The noise of the party had blurred into an indistinct murmur and Sephiroth found himself pleasantly at peace in the moment. He thought he'd close his eyes, just for a moment.
Sephiroth woke cold and alone with the sun shining in his face the next day. He was slightly disoriented, not nearly as bad as he would be from lab days, but more so than he'd ever experienced outside of that. Perhaps he had actually gotten a bit drunk.
The evidence of the party littered the room. There were a few people asleep against walls, in chairs, under tables that had empty plates strewn across them. The occasional groan punctured the stillness of the morning.
Sephiroth sat up and stretched, looking around just in case Red was still around, and felt something strange against his chest. He slid his hand under one of his straps to find a slip of paper.
Just in case you'd like to continue
555-941-8282
Sephiroth smiled to himself and tucked the paper back into a pocket. He thought he very much would like to continue and let his mind wander pleasantly as he made his way back home.