Chapter 44: Some Time Off
Due to the backbreaking work that Angeal and Genesis undergoes every day, coupled with their Jenova cells. The two friends were quickly packing on dense muscle, Angeal even fished and foraged for food because they couldn't get full with just the military rations.
Genesis felt bad with Angeal also giving him some food, so he was currently in his swimming gear with a makeshift spear on his hands. "Genesis, are you sure you want to do that?" Angeal was worried about him as Genesis didn't really know how to swim.
"What are you talking about Angeal? I can definitely do this; how can I be the best if I can't even fish for my own food?" Genesis huffed and finished stretching, ready to dive into the waters. "Uhhh, I don't know. Spear fishing isn't exactly for beginners."
Angeal tried stopping him one last time, but Genesis gasped and was offended that his friend thought that he can't even catch some fish. "Your concern is appreciated Angeal, but this is something I must do!" Genesis dove into the water after a deep breath.
After a minute, Angeal got really anxious and followed suit. Lo and behold, the auburn haired SOLDIER was drowning, the increased gravity on him prevented him from rising up to the surface. Angeal quickly got to him and resurfaced. Thankfully, they could function for some time without inhaling oxygen from their augmentations.
"Nothing happened, forget everything you saw here." Genesis was bummed out and Angeal just nodded with a sigh. But they suddenly saw a silhouette in front of them that made Genesis pale. "Pft, some hero you are. Drowning while spear fishing, imagine the headlines. Local hero dies because he couldn't swim."
Alexandra had a smug smile on her face and Genesis winced. Alex then gestured on the water and a lot of fish as well as shellfish floated right to her. "That's how you fish, what? You can't do it? Then don't drown~" Alexandra left the scene and Genesis was fuming.
"Shit! I'll definitely beat her up later!" Genesis swore to the heavens and Angeal prayed that Genesis won't die due to drowning.
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Alex returned to Ramiel who was currently working on something other than the ship. He was in a deadlock at the development because electricity isn't quite enough to power it due to the massive size.
"Here, I brought us some delicious fish. Fresh from the water you know?" Alex dropped her haul into a container and Ramiel patted her head. "Ain't my sister such a cutie, bringing her brother some food to cook." He chuckled and Alexandra blushed a bit.
"Well, you've been having trouble with your stupid project. So I thought that I could at least bring something." Alex fidgeted and Ramiel smiled at her cuteness. "I'm just about done too, this will be a pretty nice onsen." Ramiel opened up the water source to his current DIY and hot spring water went into the reservoir without any issues.
He was able to find a natural hot spring and of course, he immediately worked on it. Making a little bath house for them to use. "Woah, it smells unique. Is that sulfur and minerals?" Alex's nose twitched, smelling the unique smell of hot springs that was quite relaxing. He also used cypress wood to complete the onsen experience.
"Umu, pretty nice right? I believe this is pretty nice for your skin and hair." Ramiel smiled and Alexandra's eyes shone. "Ooh, then I'll definitely be using this often!" She gave a happy smile and Ramiel took out some tools for cooking.
"My esteemed guest, may I interest you with some tempura while you are in the bath?" He bowed and Alexandra giggled, enjoying her brother's doting. "Why yes, please deliver it inside." Alexandra went in with a spring in her steps.
"Hah, that girl. She really is quite the vain individual." He smiled tenderly and thought that she hasn't been able to relax in years. So it would be quite nice to give her some relaxation time. He quickly prepared some snacks and desserts for the full experience.
Alexandra washed herself and took a dip at the water, giving a satisfied sigh at how the water feels. "Ahhh, now this is the life. How did he even find this in the first place? No matter, what's important is we have a nice little bath to unwind." She hummed and was quite pleased with the atmosphere and the aesthetics of the bath house.
While she was enjoying herself, after a few minutes. The door opened and Ramiel entered the bath with just a small towel on his waist. Alex froze and she stared shamelessly at him, her enhanced brain that can remember anything with just a glance burned the scene into her mind.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Ramiel raised a brow and thought it was quite obvious that he will also bathe. They were siblings anyways. "Uhhh, nothing. I just got dazed because the bath is too amazing." Alexandra quickly calmed down and acted normally.
"Well, here's our little treats oujo-sama." Ramiel took some wooden tubs and made the food float in the water as he entered the bath. "Ooh, you're right. Nice baths like this is quite the hidden gem here. Hot springs are really rare here in Gaia." Ramiel sighed contently, enjoying his efforts as he went for a dip.
They then went quiet for a bit as they enjoyed the atmosphere and ate his snacks. Alexandra wanted to converse with him more, especially because it was quite rare for them to have such a precious relaxing time. But she didn't quite know what to say.
Ramiel noticed that she was just staring at him, so he took out some ice cream from his storage and pressed the cold treat on her face. "What's got you thinking so deeply?" He chuckled as she got startled and sobered up due to the coldness.
"Nii-sama… You're such a mean guy, you shouldn't startle a lady like that." She huffed, but she still accepted the cold treat. "A lady? Where? Ladies can fold their own clothes and make their own bed." He laughed and Alexandra pouted at him.
"That's… That's different okay?" She hit him softly and went into a peaceful silence with smiles on their faces. "Hey, Alexandra… Do you have a dream?" Ramiel looked up at the sky and she immediately answered. "Simple, to have a nice life with you. Just relax, maybe raise some chocobos."
She thought about the cute creatures, wanting to see one in person. AS she only saw them through pictures. "A nice simple life with me huh?" Ramiel went quiet and looked towards her. "What about your dream alone, without me in the picture?"
Alexandra immediately got suspicious and went up to him, thinking if he was sick or something. "That's not possible, whatever you do. I'll always follow you, help you, just like how you helped shape me to the person I am today." She grabbed his shoulders and he gave a wry smile at her words.
"You seriously have a critical case of a brother complex~" Ramiel teased her, but Alexandra sat between his legs and just leaned into him, surprising him a bit. Because she would have normally had a retort immediately.
"So what? You're the only thing I have left… Our parents are missing, Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith might be our friends. But they will never be at the same level as you." She looked up to his eyes, their glow intensifying a bit.
"Hah, I guess I did spoil you a bit too much. But don't you want to at least find our stupid mother?" Ramiel chuckled, as Lucrecia was a bad decision making machine. "Maybe, but what significance will they have in my life? I'm content with just you here." She snuggled onto his chest and he sighed again.
"Then let's enjoy our life to the fullest, yeah?" Ramiel patted her head and wished that Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith will ground her when the time came. Even Genesis and Angeal, as he noticed that she quite liked messing with Genesis and appreciated Angeal's work ethic.
"Hmmm, I have an idea. How about I teach you how to play an instrument? So you can do something in your free time. I'm planning on sending Genesis and Angeal to the front any time now." Ramiel suggested and she raised a brow at his idea.
"An instrument? Ahhh, I'd look good if I can play some don't I?" Alex imagined herself playing some instruments and nodded in satisfaction at her image. "Yeah, you'll look cool." He hyped her up and she agreed to it.
"Then we can play them at the same time, won't that be nice?" Alexandra bobbed her head left and right, excited to spend some time with him. "It would, right here at our little secret base. I'll build a nice little house here too. The house at the shores won't last after all."
The two then talked of their plans in what the house should look like, enjoying their rare time off from the battlefield or busying themselves in their schemes to take down Shinra.
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Thanks for reading everyone, just a little bit of slice of life for now. Ciao.
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