A Series Of Compilations: Contest Entries Edition

Jealousy (Genesis Rhapsodos)

Angeal knew exactly what was happening...He knew his best friend well and cared enough to spill the truth. "You're jealous." Beside him a certain auburn soldier sat idly, his intense gaze never leaving the couple on the dance floor.

Despite the loud music and chatter surrounding them, Genesis heard what his childhood friend had uttered," jealous? Of what? The puppy....heh, please."

Angeal smirked knowingly," I never mentioned anything about Zack or Carter," the raven sipped at his drink before continuing,"....albeit I was referring to them, yes...so you are jealous." It wasn't a question but rather a statement...one that got the auburn's attention.

The upbeat song ended after a minute, only to be replaced with something softer. Genesis, of course, didn't notice that little tidbit. "How can you presume I'm jealous Angeal? Carter is a grown-ass woman and can dance with whomever she wants...as if I would care." He sighed flippantly, readjusting his seat to better accommodate his person.

"Whew! I don't know about you guys but I'm having a blast!" Genesis stilled at the breathless, yet familiar voice that belonged to Zack Fair. Not caring about the conversation before him, his heated gaze swept the crowd greedily, rising to his full height to better see the one he searched for....and when he found her, he froze. Something sinister twisted down into his stomach, nearly leaving him nauseous from the sharp force. He-Sephiroth...had her all but clinging to him.

The silver general gracefully twirled the girl before carefully bringing her back, his black-clad arms coming around to hold her close. "Excuse me," Genesis bolted, his vision turning the same shade as his hair. He didn't care that he flat out left Angeal and Zack mid-conversation. He didn't care that he'd broken the wine glass that had rested in his palm before storming off...or the fact that said wine so happened to splatter onto the shoes of a man walking past. He didn't care that a few members of paparazzi managed to take his picture...only the Lord knew what they would write about for tomorrow's newspaper....point is, he didn't care.

What he did care about was the smile gracing her features. The fact that she was dancing with him and happily so. Seeing the two in his mind's eye, seeing her tender jade dress swinging around her form only reinforced what he was about to do...He'd never done it before. Hell, he was twenty-five years old...it was about time he got wasted.

Later...

Carter swung the door open, the mahogany floor reflecting the one light that was on, which happened to be a floor lamp near the front door. The two made their way into the living-room, her hands blindly feeling the walls for a switch.

"No lights," Genesis rasps, clearly fighting sleep as he starts leading her down a dark hall. Carter latches onto him as he nearly pitches forward, she cursed under her breath as she forcefully pulls him back towards her, his side glued to hers as he opens the door to a room. Another lamp, smaller this time, was perched on a dark wooden nightstand as Genesis staggers towards a rather spacious bed. And then she realized, this was his bedroom. Her face stained a bright scarlet as she watched him move to sit on the bed, the metal frame groaning at the added weight.

He props both arms behind him as he turns, watching her, those cerulean eyes haunting in their intensity. His lips slightly twitch into a smirk," something you need to say?" His words were slightly slurred, but his eyes were playful. Carter steeled herself before stepping closer until she was directly before him. The distinct bob of his atoms apple had her smirking as she, with deft fingers, began undoing his tie.

"You know, you really should've had me do this," she gestured to the horrendous knot, "because this is something else." For emphasis, she tugged, making him wince.

A moment of silence filled the space when Genesis suddenly said, "why him?" Blurry eyes gazed up at her, making her stop the task at hand.

Her brows furrowed, "why who?"

Calloused fingers encircled her wrists, drawing her hands away from his neck to hold them in his own. "Sephiroth...Why were you with him?"

Carter's mind spun, one tumbling thought after another...What was he implying? Genesis must have taken her silence as embarrassment, "did you at least enjoy yourself?"

From the slight tinge of red coloring his cheeks, she understood the meaning behind the question. "Oh," she gaped before sputtering, "I don't know what you think you saw, Genesis...but we just danced. We just danced because that's what friends do at a party...they dance."

"We didn't dance." He stated matter-of-factly.

"That's because we're not friends."

He blanched, yanking his hands away with a hiss.

It was her turn to flinch, "Genesis...that's not what I meant. We are friends...but."

He studied her, "but?"

Carter cursed, body turning away from him, his gaze proving to be too much. Her fingers grazed the doorknob, knuckles white. She licked her lips, heart skyrocketing, "I...I just...sometimes wonder if..." say it Carter, say it!

She suddenly found herself regurgitating, "we should be more than friends."

It was done...

Hesitantly, she turned, only to startle...Genesis was fast asleep. The slight snore that escaped his mouth and closed lids all the evidence she needed.

"I'll be damned..." for once she'd finally managed to muster the courage to spill the beans, to let the cat out of the bag...and this shit happens. Well, she thought, maybe he did hear me and just passed out? She snickered at the thought before releasing a shaky breath. Standing there in the threshold of his room, she gazed at him with unrestrained adoration, "good night Genesis."