Late Nights - SephLazard
Thought I'd finally try out a community fan event! All my planned fics have Lazard in too, so here's my own little Lazard week.
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It was already stretching into the night when Sephiroth entered Lazard’s office, the only noise the buzzing of a computer monitor and the rhythmic clack of keys being lethargically typed upon. For the terror his stature and demeanour usually commanded, Sephiroth was unsure if Lazard had even noticed he was there.
“Director?”
Lazard’s head snapped up, eyes blinking blearily behind his glasses. He paused to reach up and rub his eyes, sighing softly before finally meeting Sephiroth’s eyes. In the dim light of the office, they gave off the same pale green glow as mako.
“I didn’t think you’d be here this late, Sephiroth. What kept you?”
“This.”
Sephiroth set a brown file on Lazard’s desk, flipping open the cover to the first page.
“The report you asked for.”
Lazard took it and quickly flipped through it, checking the sheets of freshly printed paper and making sure everything was accounted for.
“Sephiroth, you didn’t have to stay late for this. This isn’t due in for days.”
“I wanted to get it done. I was equally surprised to see you here this late.”
“Well, bureaucracy waits for no man. The board are calling me in tomorrow morning for a meeting and neglected to inform me until late afternoon.”
Sephiroth sighed. “Go home, Lazard. They’re not going to fire you for being slightly underprepared for one meeting.”
Lazard mirrored Sephiroth’s sigh and saved his work, shutting down his monitor. “You’re right. You shouldn’t get into the habit of staying this late either, Sephiroth. Soldier doesn’t exactly pay for after-hours.”
“I can survive it. You can’t.” Sephiroth said, and Lazard quirked an eyebrow but chose not to press. He already had his own concerns when it came to the Soldiers he was in charge of.
Lazard packed the last of his work into a briefcase, aware of Sephiroth leaning against his desk, now waiting for him. Lazard wasn’t sure why he’d expected Sephiroth to walk out on him but seeing him waiting there for him gave rise to a feeling of familiarity between them both. He rarely had chances to talk to Sephiroth off-the-clock and seeing him resting against the desk instead of standing to attention as usual showed him in a new light. What was Sephiroth like at home, Lazard wondered. What did he do when not in the Shinra building? What did he eat? Did he wear different clothes, or was the black and leather just as constant at home as it was at work? What was his routine like?
It occurred to Lazard suddenly that he had yet to take the time to know Sephiroth as a person rather than just a soldier. A very talented soldier, yes, but what was he like as a person?
“Sephiroth, have you eaten yet?” Lazard asked, closing his briefcase and looking up at the soldier now scrolling lazily through his PHS, apparently reading his emails, though he didn’t seem to be paying much attention to the contents.
“Not yet. Why?”
“There’s a new Wutaiian place that’s opened in Sector 3. If it’s not too far out of your way, would you like to join me? My treat.”
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, staying silent for a moment as he processed what Lazard was asking him. For a terrifying moment, Lazard thought he was going to say no, but eventually, Sephiroth slipped his PHS back into his pocket and nodded.
“It’s been a while since I’ve eaten with someone. Lead the way.”