DOGS of War

Sorry for the delay on this one, folks. Life happened.

~ ~ ~

"You really haven't put anything on your music player yet? I thought Genesis had a computer."

"He does, and he said I could use it, but I don't have any money to buy the songs. I know Gen would pay for it, but he's done so much for me already I really don't want to ask," Haine explained, following Cloud out into the crowded hallway.

"Oh, well that's no problem. There are plenty of ways to get music without paying for it. I can show you later if you want."

"Isn't that illegal? Could Gen get in trouble if it's traced back to his computer?"

"Ha, nobody ever checks on that sort of thing. It's almost impossible to trace and it's just not worth the effort. Besides, what are they going to do to Genesis Rhapsodos for downloading a few songs??"

Haine rolled his eyes. "I think spending so much time with Seph has skewed your perception of right and wrong."

Cloud laughed. "And I think you've been listening to Zack's watered-down version of Angeal's honor rants too much."

"Ya," Haine smirked. "And I'm gonna tell him you said that, too."

"Nuuuuuuuu," Cloud squealed exaggeratedly before bursting into laughter.

More than a month had passed since Haine had joined the cadet program and his life had become a whirlwind of activity. When he wasn't in class or attending the "extra-curricular" training sessions (he still couldn't participate with sparring, but he never missed one), he was doing homework assignments or studying with Cloud for an upcoming test. What little free time he managed to find, he spent out on the firing range. Occasionally Reno would show up and share with him some new gadget or weapon and the two of them would pass the time causing mass destruction. Usually though, he would find himself alone, simply enjoying the relaxing repetition of load, aim, fire. His nights belonged to Genesis.

Aside from the occasional lack of clothing and the fact that they now shared a bed, Haine's relationship with the redhead had changed very little. For now, they were just happy enough being together and the physical aspect of their relationship was often sidelined for other things. Haine didn't want to mention it, but he could tell that Genesis was still being cautious about taking things too far. Their ventures in the bedroom hadn't gone much beyond that of their first evening's tryst and, while Haine tried to be understanding of Genesis' trepidation, there was only so much patience one could expect from a teenaged boy.

Genesis, for his part, was changing too. Without Haine around during the day, his apartment felt empty and lonely. He began burying himself in his work, and even began using his office on a somewhat regular basis. When he wasn't in his own office, he was in Angeal's. Working beside his friend somehow made the tedium more bearable. Especially when Zack or Sephiroth would occasionally pop in to visit between missions or for lunch.

Haine's hectic schedule kept him from seeing Zack hardly at all anymore and he sorely missed the young soldier's company. It was becoming painfully apparent why Genesis hadn't wanted to risk his friendship with Angeal. It was hard enough being apart when there was no other choice. If Zack were to willingly avoid Haine, he would be heartbroken.

Zack had started taking longer missions further from Midgar and he didn't always make it home at the end of the day. Haine and Genesis never said anything, but they would hold each other a little tighter on those nights when he was away. Angeal must have been a basket case.

"We have some time before we have to get to our next class. You wanna grab something to eat?" Cloud asked as he and Haine headed for the stairs leading down to the next floor of the academy.

"We can. I'm not really hungry, but if you are we can get something."

"You're never hungry. It's no wonder you're so skinny, Haine."

"I'm not skinny, I'm just fine-boned," the albino said facetiously.

"Well, if it ain't the scrawny chocobo-head and his little pet," a bitter voice said from behind them.

Cloud stopped walking and rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest and turned to look back at the speaker. "What's this? You finally grow a pair? Normally, you wait 'til I'm alone to annoy me."

Haine looked back and forth between the two, confused. Cloud certainly seemed familiar and unbothered by the boy's harassment. How long had it been going on? And why hadn't the blond said anything?

"Shut your filthy mouth, queer, and hand over your report for Putricide's chem class before I break your face and ruin your ticket into SOLDIER."

Cloud snorted in derision. "As persuasive as your argument is, I'm gonna have to go with 'no fuckin' way.' Asshole."

The larger boy's face twisted in anger. "What the fuck do you care about your grades? You're obviously getting into SOLDIER on your back," he snarled.

"Maybe if your mouth wasn't so big, there'd be more room in your head for a brain. Then you'd be able to do your own work, you warthog-faced buffoon," Haine snapped, stepping in between the two.

The bully blinked in surprise for a second at the usually silent youth's outburst before arrogance once again took the lead. "Well, look here. The shrimp's silent little pet has a quick tongue after all... Y'know, I can think of a better way to use that tongue. So, why don't you just get on your knees where you belong and suck my cock, bitch?"

"Well, I can't really decide between 'you're an asshole' and 'you're ugly,' so I'll just say both."

"You wanna fight, you scrawny little fuck!?"

"No, not particularly," Haine said calmly, crossing his arms.

"You afraid, pansy-ass chicken shit?" the bully yelled, stepping right into Haine's personal space.

"I'm not afraid, I'd just hate to have to explain to your parents why you can't have an open casket at your funeral," Haine sneered.

There were a few muffled laughs and jeers from the crowd that had gathered around them and the bully's eyes narrowed. "Yea, right! I seen you hidin' in the corner when we're all training. Fuckin' coward! I bet you won't even fight back when I punch your face in, freak!" he screamed before lunging at Haine.

+ + +

Angeal sighed, his fingertips moving quickly over the keyboard on his desk. The soft clicking of keystrokes was the only sound in the calm of the room.

The stillness of the office was sundered by a crisp knock on the door. Angeal's eyes flicked to his clock. He wasn't expecting anyone and Genesis and Zack never bothered to knock. Sitting back in his chair, he granted entrance.

The door opened and a man that Angeal recognized as one of the academy's instructors quickly entered, dragging a student in by the arm. Angeal barely managed to keep his eyebrows for raising in surprise as Haine was pulled into the room. "Is there a problem, Doctor Krastinov?" he asked calmly.

Doctor Theolen Krastinov, known by his students as simply "The Butcher," was the anatomy professor in the academy. It was rumored that he had originally worked for the science department, but had been removed from his position after taking his "experimentation" a bit too far. Needless to say, Haine did not get along with the man.

"Yes, I should say there is. This boy," The Butcher sneered as he pushed Haine forward, "is not fit to be in the cadet program and should be removed immediately."

"I see," Angeal said carefully. "And on what grounds should this expulsion be based?"

"He attacked another cadet."

Angeal's eyes narrowed slightly in confusion. "And where is the other boy?"

"In the infirmary," the man said with no small amount of glee in his voice.

This time, Angeal couldn't keep his eyebrows from springing up in surprise. He quickly smoothed his features out and regained his cool demeanor. "I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will handle it from here."

With a sharp nod, the professor took his leave.

Haine hadn't so much as twitched a muscle since he'd been brought in and Angeal studied him closely. The youth looked positively miserable as he stood with his head bowed, his eyes locked onto the floor. After everything that Zack and Genesis had done for this boy, Angeal didn't want to believe that he was the type to cause trouble, but the rules were in place for a reason and he couldn't afford to be lenient. "Haine," he began, his voice soft but firm. "Do you have anything to say?" Deep down he hoped that the boy would have some sort of explanation, would plead his case so he could at least try to cut him a break. His hopes were dashed, however, as the pale teen simply shook his head, obviously prepared to accept whatever punishment he was dealt.

Angeal jumped in his seat as his door burst open and a spiky-haired ball of kinetic energy exploded into the room.

"Angeal! Wait!" Zack skidded to a halt in the center of the carpet, doubling over with his hands on his knees as he gasped for air.

Yes, that was usually how Zack entered.

"Sir, please! He didn't do anything wrong!" A softer voice chimed in from behind him, a small blond running into the room to stand beside Zack. He, too, was out of breath, but seemed even more determined to speak in spite of it. "That guy- was picking- on me. Haine- just told him- to stop!" he panted out.

Angeal raised an eyebrow at the blond cadet, who he now realized must be Cloud. Who else would have thought to bring Zack? "I understand that you feel responsible and appreciate you coming forward-"

"But Angeal, he didn't touch the guy!" Zack finally shouted, having regained some semblance of breath.

"It's true, sir! All Haine did was move out of the way! That jerk got so mad he couldn't see where he was running and fell down the stairs!"

"The Butcher didn't even ask what happened! He just grabbed Haine and dragged him up here!"

"He doesn't like Haine! He's been looking for a reason to get him kicked out since he started the program!"

Angeal looked back and forth between Zack and Cloud as the two shouted at him, finally putting up his hands. "Enough!" The room fell silent again, save for the panting of the two teens. "Haine, is this true?"

Haine kept his head down, giving a small nod of confirmation.

Angeal was bewildered. "Why didn't you say something when I asked?"

"I hurt a fellow cadet," he said so quietly that even Angeal had to struggle to hear him.

"This isn't what Genesis meant!" Cloud suddenly shouted. Angeal and Zack both turned to him in confusion. Haine finally looked up. "He wasn't trying to say that you can't defend yourself or that you should blame yourself for things that aren't your fault! He just meant that you shouldn't shoot me when we're sparring!"

"Yea!" Zack chimed in. "Wait, what?"

"That fucktard was looking for a fight. It didn't matter what you said or did, he was going to attack you! You can't take responsibility for that!"

"He shot you?"

"But, he said 'no matter what'."

"You shot him?"

"The rules say you aren't supposed to fight. You weren't fighting, and even if you had been, it still wouldn't be your fault because it was self-defense!"

"But, wait-"

"Damn it, Zack! No, he didn't shoot me! It was just a misunderstanding! Now can you please shut up and focus on what's important here?"

"Alright," Angeal cut in, once again silencing the boys in the room. "Cloud, thank you for clearing this matter up. Now that I know the truth, I will be able to handle things accordingly. You may return to your class now."

Cloud nodded gratefully, sending Haine a reassuring smile before giving Angeal a crisp salute and exiting.

"Zack."

The raven looked up somewhat sheepishly, now that the drama had died down. "Um. Yes, sir?"

"I'm fairly certain there's somewhere you need to be right now. Please, go there."

"Right, sorry."

Zack gave Haine an apologetic smile and reassuring squeeze to his shoulder as he passed before leaving the pair alone in the quiet of the large office once more.

The silence in the room was no longer as stifling and uncomfortable as it had been before the interruption, but rather more contemplative. Angeal sat studying Haine for a moment longer before standing and moving around to the front of his desk to lean against it only a few feet from the teen. Crimson eyes turned up to meet deep blue and Angeal could tell that he was being scrutinized right back.

"Haine," the elder soldier began uncertainly. "Genesis... is a very passionate man. Sometimes a little too much so." He chuckled lightly and his eyes grew distant for a moment before he continued. "It's easy for him to get caught up in the moment and say what comes to mind without thinking it through. Cloud was correct. You have every right to defend yourself. You aren't in any trouble and have no reason to be ashamed about what happened," he finished gently, reaching out to place a hand on one of Haine's thin shoulders.

Without thinking, Haine stepped forward, leaning against Angeal and winding his arms around the burly man's stomach as he burrowed his face in the soldier's broad chest. After a moment's hesitation, strong arms carefully wrapped around his slim shoulders and a large hand began gently stroking his hair. Haine was nearly overwhelmed by the sudden feeling of caring that Angeal exuded; so deep and so powerful that it almost hurt. Perhaps it wasn't such a mystery after all, why this man was so loved by both Zack and Genesis. Haine closed his eyes with a soft sigh and went lax against the larger male. Something about him was just so comforting, so safe, it was hard not to relax in his presence. Immediately, Angeal's mood shifted and Haine rested his chin on the soldier's sternum as he looked up to meet his concern-filled gaze.

"Are you okay? It's not too much for you, is it?" Angeal asked softly, not even certain himself of what he was referring to exactly.

Haine smiled up at him. "I'm fine. Just tired. I guess I've been pushing myself pretty hard... it's starting to catch up with me a little."

Angeal laughed as he ruffled Haine's white spikes. "Genesis certainly is rubbing off on you. Always have to be number one. I've seen your grades, you can give yourself a break."

It was true. Haine was doing well overall in his classes, despite the troublesome start he had when it came to his tests. His scores for the multiple-choice portion were always off the charts. His essay scores, on the other hand, were abysmal as he often gave an answer that was technically correct, but far from what was desired. Instructor Razuvious had even gone so far as to call him in for questioning after reading Haine's essay answers and assuming the teen was playing some sort of prank. After all, how could anyone so obviously smart think that Reeve Tuesti's personality was in any way relevant to the history of ShinRa? Haine was still working on looking beyond the literal question and using context to figure out what his professors were looking for, but he was making progress with Cloud's help.

Haine realized that he must have started to drift again when the large chest beneath his chin rumbled with a deep chuckle.

"Go home. Get some rest," Angeal said gently with amusement dancing in his eyes.

Haine felt his face heat slightly. "I'm okay. I should go back. I don't want to miss anything important."

"You've been staring through me for a full minute and a half. Whether you're in class or not, chances are you'd be missing things. You get one day off every week for a reason. Maybe you should spend it at home recuperating instead of out on the Turks' playground," Angeal nudged. This close to Haine, he could easily see how drowsy the boy was. He'd make it an order if he had to, but there was no way he was letting him go back to class. "I'll take care of your professors. Go home." For a moment Angeal thought he might argue before a small, thankful smile graced Haine's face and he nodded. With surprising reluctance, Angeal let him go.

"Thank you, sir," Haine said softly before slipping out the door to leave Angeal alone with his thoughts.

= = =

Angeal sat at his desk, typing away at his computer. His fingers tapped quietly on his keyboard as he worked on writing yet another in a long list of reports that would wind up in the circular file by the end of the week, if not the day. His hands stilled and he looked up warily as a sharp knock sounded from his door. He granted entry, relaxing as a familiar face appeared in the doorway. "Sephiroth, What can I do for you?" he asked amiably.

"Nothing," the silver haired General said as he settled into one of the seats in front of Angeal's desk. "I just came to see if you wanted to join me for lunch."

Angeal sat back with a sigh. "I'd love to, but unfortunately there was an incident earlier that required my attention and I'm a bit behind in my work now."

Sephiroth quirked a brow at the man. "What incident?" He hadn't heard anything.

"Oh, nothing major. Apparently one of the tougher cadets was picking on Zack's friend, Cloud. Haine stepped in and the kid wound up in the infirmary." He shuffled some of the papers on his desk, looking for a pen as he noticed a paper in front of him that still required a signature. "Apparently it wasn't Haine's fault, though, so I- Seph?" Angeal blinked in confusion as he looked up, noticing the blatantly vacant state of the room. He sat for a moment in silence before shrugging it off with a sigh and resuming his typing.

= = =

It was growing late in the day as Angeal sat at his desk, still typing away at the now-nearly-finished report. He stretched in his seat, his muscles protesting the extended lack of use before settling back in to type up the last few sentences. Angeal jumped in his seat, looking up in surprise as his door was quickly opened. "Genesis, what are you doing here?"

"What the hell happened earlier? Just what did that kid do, 'Geal?" the redhead asked quickly, flopping down into the same chair that Sephiroth had.

"What are you talking about, Genesis?"

"I'm not really sure. I just heard from Reno, though, that Sephiroth stormed into the infirmary earlier and kicked a cadet right out of ShinRa. Said if he ever showed his face in Midgar again, he'd be killed on the spot. No one else seems to know about it and, since you are the impromptu disciplinary committee, I figured you must have had something to do with it."

"What? I didn't tell Sephiroth to discharge him. I hadn't even decided what his punishment would be. All I said was that the boy had been bullying Cloud and wound up getting hurt when Haine stepped in-" Angeal stopped short, flinching as Genesis jumped up and slammed his hands down on the solid wood desk.

"What!? And you didn't tell me?! Where is Haine now?? Is he alright??"

"Yes, he's fine, he's at home. I gave him the rest of the day off," he shouted quickly as the redhead disappeared out the door and down the hall.

Once again, Angeal found himself suddenly alone in the office. He glanced around the room for a moment, his eyes eventually falling on the nearly finished report glowing down at him from the computer's monitor. With a decisive nod, he quickly saved the document and told the computer to shut down before he, too, left the room.

+ + +

Angeal walked swiftly through the hallways, making his way to his destination. He smiled as his target came into view. Apparently, Zack had just finished his patrol and was currently receiving his next mission from his CO. He stepped up to them, placing a hand on Zack's shoulder. "I'm afraid I'll have to cut in, I need Zackary for some help with something."

Zack jumped in surprise and looked to the elder soldier, grinning up at him. He turned back to the other officer, giving him an apologetic look and a salute before following Angeal back down the hall. "Hey, so what do you need me for?"

Angeal let a rare smile turn up the corner of his mouth. "I'm going to help you with some top-secret training that every first-class SOLDIER should have..."

Zack lit up like a christmas tree. "Really?? What is it?!" he asked excitedly.

Angeal's smile turned devious. "The sacred art of using chopsticks."

Zack stopped walking. "Wait, did you just pull rank to take me out to dinner?!"

All he received in response was a chuckle as Angeal continued walking.

= = =

Genesis had no idea what to expect as he rushed back to his apartment. Maybe he should have waited to hear whatever Angeal had been about to say, but it didn't matter. Haine was home, so that's where he needed to be.

An image of Haine, hurt and alone, flickered through his mind and he put on an extra burst of speed as he raced toward the elevator to his floor. The more rational part of his mind chimed in with the knowledge that Angeal would never allow Haine to return home alone if he were injured, but the rational part of his mind wasn't the part in charge just then.

Just before reaching the elevators, Genesis altered his course and aimed for the stairwell. Last time he'd been stuck in the elevator while rushing home, he had briefly considered the possibility that opening the ceiling hatch and shimmying up the cables might actually be quicker. Were he to wind up in the enclosed space again, he might actually try it.

Twelve flights of stairs and a plethora of trampled soldiers and office workers later, Genesis skidded to a halt in front of his door. Once the door slid open, he rushed into the room, making a bee-line for the couch where Haine was sitting. He collapsed to his knees on the floor in front of him and began frantically running his hands over the teen's body in search of lumps, bumps, bruises, scratches, broken bones, or anything else that might be out of place. "Where are you hurt?!" he huffed out in a rush. "Are you bleeding? Internally? Anything broken? Sometimes you might not feel a break because fluids are rushing to the area. Any rushing fluids??" Haine's laughter was music to his ears and he collapsed in relief, faceplanting into the teen's lap. "How many stripes do I have?" he asked, his voice muffled.

"Three!" Haine barely managed to wheeze out between laughs.

"No!" Genesis shouted, straightening up to grab Haine by the shoulders and shake him. "I knew it! There's something wrong with you!" he exclaimed before flopping back down onto Haine's thighs and peering up at him. "You're really okay?"

Haine grinned as he nodded and ran his fingers through Genesis' hair. "I'm really okay. Promise."

"What happened? Something about a guy bullying Cloud and you got in a fight?"

Haine nodded again. "Yea. I didn't know about it. I guess he usually only hassles Cloud when he's alone. I'd never seen him before. He was trying to get Cloud to give him his chemistry report and being a real dick about it. What he said about Cloud... it just made me mad. I don't remember exactly what I said, but, um, it probably wasn't very nice. He called me a bitch and told me to suck his cock."

"He said what?" Genesis said with a dangerously even tone.

"I told him no and some of the kids around us started laughing. I guess that made him even madder because he started screaming at me and attacked."

Genesis propped himself up on one elbow on the couch cushion beside Haine's leg. "Well then, I'm glad you kicked his ass. Sounds like he deserved it, big time. I'm proud of you."

Haine drew a knee up to his chest and wrapped his arms around it. "You shouldn't be. I didn't fight him. All I did was dodge when he rushed at me. He hurt himself. I didn't do anything." He rested his forehead on his knee as he braced himself for the wave of disappointment that he would be feeling from Genesis. But it never came.

"Hey..." Genesis stroked his fingers down Haine's cheek and gently lifted the teen's chin so he could look him in the eye. "Then I'm even more proud of you."

"But I couldn't fight."

"No. You didn't fight. There's a difference. You may not have fought back, but you didn't stand there and get pummeled, either. It may only be a small improvement, but it's an important one."

"But he got really hurt. After it happened, all I could think about was how mad you'd be. You said I should never hurt my fellow cadets for any reason. Then Krastinov grabbed me and took me up to Angeal's office. I thought for sure I was going to be kicked out, but Cloud got Zack to bring him up to the office so he could tell Angeal what happened. He said it was okay and that I should come home to rest for the day."

Genesis faceplanted into Haine's lap again with a groan. "I'm so stupid!" He looked up with big, pleading eyes. "Just don't listen to me anymore."

Haine laughed. "But if I stop listening to you, wouldn't I be I listening to you?" He grinned at Genesis' pout and began pushing the redhead's hair back away from his face, mussing up the long strands as he gently scratched the sensitive scalp beneath them. Immediately, Genesis melted, letting out a low sound that was distinctly reminiscent of a purr.

The senior soldier wound his arms around Haine's slim waist as he peered up at the teen, returning his soft smile of contentment. And just like that, everything was okay.

~ ~ ~

Angeal is sooooo out of the loop. He's so out of the loop, he doesn't even know there is a loop. Doesn't stop him from trying, though. XD

Poor Haine. He is apparently the master of accidentally hurting people. D: Not that it wasn't well-deserved in this instance...

In case you're wondering how Cloud got Zack so quickly (I know I was), Seph gave him a PHS for emergency use. And he considered this an emergency. Yar.

And, yes. I do think Cloud would use the word fucktard in front of Angeal. He's pissed, by golly! He'll most likely blush about it later as he sheepishly tells Sephiroth about what happened (during the "Why-didn't-you-tell-me-you-were-being-bullied?? interrogation), but he wasn't really thinking about that just then. XD

...Did anyone else ever have trouble with essay tests in school? I seriously could never figure out what the teacher was actually asking for. Maybe I'm just insane. >.>

For those of you who didn't grow up in an office, the circular file is another name for the trash can. :P

Quotes/Refs:

"You warthog-faced buffoon" - "Inconceivable!!" "Stop that now, I mean it!" "Anybody want a peanut?" "Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us togeva... today." If you still haven't gotten it after all that... You lose. XD

Prof. Putricide & The Butcher - More guest stars from WoW! I'm having a bit too much fun with this, I think...

“How many stripes do I have?” - Finding Nemo! :D

I got a timeline maker! :D Made up a real timeline for this fic and... I'm still soooooooooooooooooooooo far from done. XD Looks like DoW is going to be between 45 and 50 chapters, minimum. x_x Never fear, I am far too stubborn to give up! ...Some extra poking and the occasional nag might be good to get me moving though. o3o

Check out my LJ post of this chapter for a mini version of the timeline. ^.^