SHIELD Agent Rhapsodos: A Part That Remains

:: Obsessive ::

When 'Mama bear', as Genesis nicknamed her, wasn't around, Robert focused on his sole mission—though some might rather call it an obsession—to learn more about his cryptic young friend.

There had been plenty of questions and theories that had sprouted in his mind about where Genesis Rhapsodos was really from. It was the kid's genius mind and emotional maturity that took the top spot on Robert's list of things to explain. While the teen was good at disguising it in front of Hazel, masking his maturity with jokes and sarcastic comments didn't fool Robert's experienced eyes.

Although there were many cases where Genesis took part in having fun and mercilessly annoying him and Hazel to no end, at times Robert could detect an underlying sense of regret and sadness in him whenever he eyed Robert in his condition. Oddly enough, they weren't eyes of sympathy for a sick man, but rather a thoughtful gaze of remembrance that almost said that he personally knew what it felt like to be in his situation.

More disturbingly, those same eyes also revealed the regret of someone who made the mistake of a lifetime. Robert had figured that Genesis' past was probably a tragic one, but his mannerisms weren't always that of a young adult such as Hazel. They belonged to a grown man who had seen many things. Many unpleasant things that Robert was sure he'd rather do without.

This alone pointed to the rather scary conclusion that perhaps Genesis was a lot older than he looked. He shook his head at the idea of time travel or any other reality-defying explanations.

Rather than asking straightforwardly, Robert had then decided to wait it out and proceed slowly. The kid was already wary enough with the more direct approaches he tried previously. If that couldn't get results, then he'd do it the old fashion way of getting to know Genesis on a personal level. At least if it was one hell of a secret he'd take it to the grave.