They were already gathered in the corridor when Genesis broke the silence.

"Off to your checkup with your favorite medic?"

Sephiroth didn't flinch. "It's routine."

"Routine doesn't usually have you checking your watch twice." Genesis said.

Angeal glanced over, amused despite himself. "You are early. That's rare."

"It's efficient." Sephiroth replied flatly.

"Sure it is..." Genesis muttered. "Efficient. Not eager."

"Mm." Angeal added, crossing his arms. "Just don't forget to come back with your composure intact."

Sephiroth adjusted his sleeve. "I'm not the one making a spectacle."

Genesis smirked. "Not yet."

"Try not to stare too hard." Angeal added, voice dry.

Sephiroth walked past them without another word.

"Don't forget to breathe!" Genesis called. "And don't come back with that expression." Angeal said under his breath.

Hmph. As if.

Sephiroth entered without knocking. You didn't turn to greet him but he saw the slight shift in your posture.

Good. You always noticed him.

He set his coat over the chair, rolled up his sleeves and sat. You approached with the scanner, steady and efficient. He appreciated that.

He watched you, not openly, just enough to register how calm your hands were, how it didn't feel like it was prickling his skin.

The scanner swept slowly across his sternum. The edge of your glove brushed his skin.

No visible reaction but he felt it. You looked up. Eyes met.

The scanner didn't stop but something in the room did.

Then it beeped and you stepped away, recorded the data and returned.

No equipment this time. Manual heartbeat check.

Your fingers found the spot below his collarbone.

And then he felt it.

The pulse. Too fast.

He knew it couldn't be his. It wasn't his.

Your breath hitched slightly. He looked at you again. Saw it in your eyes.

Before the moment could pass, his hand lifted and caught your wrist gently.

Not to stop you. To confirm it.

Your pulse jumped beneath his touch. The same rhythm. The same pace.

Not his. Yours.

You weren't unaffected. Neither was he.