[AIM LOG || COMPLETE]

[mentors]

Who: Angeal Hewley and Genesis Rhapsodos
When: January 27th, BACKDATED
Where: At their place in Sector Four
Summary: Time for brunch, and Angeal's brought home another animal to care for this weekend. Their discussion later turns to their recent doctor's visits.
Warnings: F FOR PURE UNADULTRATED FLUFF. Mentions of Angeal's death.

	[Making brunch for Genesis and himself, as well as fixing up one of his 'take home projects' meals, Angeal is busy keeping the house in order, attempting to balance the hectic schedules of the four men who lived in the house, a new pet, and their occasional guests from the pound. This time it was a mockingbird, young and having fallen out of it's nest, needing constant care and Angeal just couldn't say no when they needed volunteers.]
	[Having just woken up, he's still dressed in his sleeping clothes: a soft white tee over a pair of red cotton pajamas. He yawns in a grand manner in the living room, stretching his body upwards at the same time. He notices the scent of Angeal's cooking and begins to wander towards the kitchen. That's when he notices a little something chirping in a box.] Angeal...?
	[Angeal looks up when his name is called, wincing slightly when he tests the mix of food against his wrist and it turns out too hot. He leaves it to cool, turning instead to the other.] Morning, Gen. You're up early.
	Well, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise with my new schedule. Anyway, what is that? [He points to the chirping box.]
	Well, I know of your tendency to sleep in. [He smiles and waves Genesis over, pulling the lid off of the box and carefully pulling out what was inside.] A baby mockingbird- he was brought into work needing some help. I'll have him for the weekend.
	Ah. I see... [He won't say anything just yet because... you know how he is with animals, Angeal, even if his sword has a bird motif on it.]
	[He knows, which is why the little guy isn't shoved onto Genesis. Or the kitten, for that matter.] He'll be much less intruding than the dog, at any rate. [A chuckle, and Angeal checks the food for the bird again, just as the toast pops up. Ah, timing!] Help yourself.
	Thanks. [He goes over to the toast now to help himself to some brunch.] With all the time free I have, I guess I can help you out if you need it. [Since when has their house become some kind of pet shelter?]
	[Ask Sephiroth that. Angeal only brings an animal on occasion for weekend extended care.] It's nice that you do, Gen. How is the new job treating you?
	Not bad, really. I got to model some jewelry the other day. Too bad I couldn't keep them. [He laughs.]
	What would you even do with it? [He tisks when the bird won't eat from him anymore, trying to get one more round in before he puts him in the box and starts to wash up thoroughly.] But you'll have to get a copy of the ad, pictures or whatever it is- we can frame them. [A snicker.]
	G: They'll appear in magazines all over the port. It'll be easy to get a copy. [He settles down at the table now with his food, and begins to take his brunch]
	[He'll join once he's scrubbed clean with his own heaped plate.] You really took off quick, huh? I'm glad, gen. [He gives the other a bright smile.]
	Well, [he gestures grandly, proudly.] there's no doubt that a redhead man like me is a rare prize to find.
	Truer words have never been spoken, Gen. [Half a tease, but mostly the truth!] Do you want cranberry juice, coffee, or water?
	[Cranberry juice...?] I'll have the juice.
	[It's only the most awesome juice ever gen, he promises.] You'll like it! It's something I found here in the port, and it's pretty good. [Sets about making a glass for each of them before joining Genesis at the table.]
	Alright. I've never had it before. [He blinks at it and takes a sip... after a moment...] It's delicious.
	[Smiles broadly.] I thought you might like it. [He sits down to tuck into his own food. Mm, eggs and toast with jam!]
	[Genesis nibbles on his own slice of toast. For some reason, hanging around the models made him feel conscious about the way he ate, even if he knew that he could eat A LOT and not get fat for it, thanks to his advanced metabolism.] You're always so thoughtful, partner.
	I try, Gen. [He takes a few minutes to eat his food before bringing up the next topic.] I wonder how cold it stays in this Area. It's been so long since I've been though a proper winter.
	I'm not sure... it's been very long for me, too. I think this is the first real winter I've experienced in years.
	Hm... Well, We'll learn together, then. [He gives the other a genuine smile, something small and reserved for the few close people in his life. then, with a tease referring to the night the other crawled into his bed for a little bit-] Do you need more blankets?
	[Snerk. He gets what you're pointing at.] No, I'm rather fine with what I have right now.
	Shiva knows you have enough pillows to send anyone to sleep. [Grins]
	Hey, I like my pillows. [Well, he has a lot of them. The kitten seems to like them, too, whenever he comes by Gen's room.]
	Come on, I don't even think you'd notice if one went missing. [He laughs, food almost gone.] want more?
	Hey, I'd notice. I've arranged my pillows in a way that looks good. Anyone who messes it up is bound to get something from me. [He snerks and gets up, plate empty.] Yeah, I think I can eat a bit more.
	What, a scolding? [He outright laughs, just teasing, Gen! The mockingbird peeps again from his box, and Angeal puts his plate down to walk over to him, looking for the food again.] Hungry little guy, aren't you?
	[He walks over to take a look at the bird, too.] He's a pretty noisy one. Are all baby birds like this?
	They are. [He picks the bird up again, working on feeding it though the eyedropper.] They rely on the parents to bring them food, and usually have nestmates, so they it's their only way of knowing which one is still hungry, really.
	I see... [Well, he finds it more tolerable than barking dogs. The chirping is almost pleasant despite being so persistent.] You really are a natural at this. Even after years in the military, you haven't lost your touch with animals at all.
	[He smiles at that, leaning against the kitchen counter to be able to see Gen while he feeds the bird again.] Well, you can't take the farm out of the farmboy.
	That is true. [He smiles fondly, and knows well that this is why they're such good friends in the first place. They're perfect foils to each other.]
	[The bird stops chirping at him and settles down happily, and Geal smiles at that before looking back at his friend.] Do you want to hold him, Gen?
	I guess I could try...
	[He walks over and settles the bird in Gen's arms, showing him how to hold him properly.] See? I think he likes you.
	[He blinks at the bird, then uses a finger to lightly stroke the feathers.]
	[The bird peeps at Gen, and Angeal hovers briefly around the two before taking the extra time to clean the cage. Even for three days, taking care of a wild bird is hard work!]
	[For the meantime, Gen will settle down on the couch, still holding the bird and touching its feathers from time to time. It's almost amusing, watching it peep and look all curious.]
	[He'll clean up the kitchen while he's at it, bringing two glasses of cranberry juice to the living room with him along with the bird's cage.] Cute little thing, isn't he?
	I have to admit, he rather is. It's hard to decide which one I like better-- Sephiroth's kitten, or this bird of yours.
	You can like them both, you know. [He chuckles at that.] The cat is becoming a permanent resident, I think. Sephiroth's yet to let me take him to the pound for more than a checkup.
	Really? Has he decided on a name for him?
	Not yet, but he's never had a pet before. [A small smile.] I think he wants to make it special.
	[He smiles as well. Sephiroth owning a pet really is something new.] Well, I won't mind helping him with that. I'll look forward to what he's chosen for him.
	I'm glad for him, after what the doctor told us...
	I'm... terribly relieved. [He rests back against the couch, bird still in his hands.]
	[He shakes his head briefly.] It's... expected, really. After what happened to us. [For the first time, most of the cheerful warmth has drained out of his voice.]
	[Genesis nods, it's clear that the mirth had gone out of him, too.]
	[He leans against the other's shoulder lightly, taking a moment to reflect, even though he really doesn't want to.]
	G: I'm glad we're past that.
	As am I. [At the same time... He still wants to say sorry to Genesis, for not being able to get though to him, for being selfish enough to leave first.]
	[He's quiet for a while, petting the mockingbird's head] Things are better here at the Port.
	Mm. This... It's better than I could of hoped for. [He looks over when the mockingbird warbles at Genesis, a small smile catching on his face.]
	I never thought I'd be living this kind of life.
	...I don't want to see either of you get pulled back.
	Me neither. I won't be able to bear it.
	[He pauses for a long moment, interrupted by the bird's chirping once more.] The three of us, we'll be just fine right here.