ReaperRain here, with my first ever Valenwind story! I've been stalking the fandom for a while, and half-written a handful of plotbunnies, but this is the first one I've actually managed to turn into a proper fic. So, um, enjoy!
Warnings: Is this yaoi, you ask? Of course it is! I write nothing BUT yaoi! For those who are still hopelessly green, yaoi is boys with boys (or in this case, men with men, rawr). The pairing is, or eventually will be, Cid/Vincent. If you don't like that then you either stumbled across this by accident, or you're in some serious denial; whatever the reason, just hit the back button.
Disclaimer: The story is mine, but sadly the characters are not - they belong to Square Enix/Squaresoft, and that Japanese guy whose name I can never remember. I can't prevent it, but please don't steal the fic idea; you can come up with your own.
Oh, and before I forget...this takes place after the movie, but I'm discounting DoC.
Chapter one, otherwise named: 'Wheeeee, it's starting!'
There wasn't a church in Rocket Town, and so the ceremony took place in Midgar. Hymn music, holy vows, balloons and bouquets - the works. Shera looked beautiful in her white gown, although Cid didn't quite suit his formal tuxedo, but no matter. The AVALANCHE group, Cid's airship crew, and a number of other people all filled the pews, watching as the couple repeated after the priest.
Vincent Valentine, on the other hand, stayed at the very back of the building, hidden by the shadows. By all accounts, he should have been sat with Cloud and the others, but he just couldn't find the heart to do it. Not to mention he'd look horribly out of place in his red cloak and clawed gauntlet - but he hadn't worn a suit in over 30 years, and he didn't intend to do so now.
So he stayed out of sight in his characteristic style, looking on as Cid and Shera exchanged promises of eternity. A part of him urged him to be happy for his friend, and yet he wasn't. Neither was he saddened or angry, just...numb. Distanced, as though he were not watching real life, but some sort of dream.
He was bothered, because he wasn't bothered, when clearly there should have been some sort of emotion present. Perhaps the blame lay within his past, and the day Lucrecia chose Hojo over him. It would certainly explain why he felt so detached, seeing two people promise the love he had never received, nor had the chance to give.
"You may kiss the bride."
There was applause when the pair kissed. And yet for Vincent, he still felt nothing. Truthfully, he was still half-expecting to wake up.
The ceremony ended; Shera was instantly surrounded by people offering their congratulations, whereas Cid eased out of the crowd and made his way to the back of the church.
"Vin?" He called out, unsure, "Hey Vince, you there?"
Vincent's response was to sink further back into the shadows. He didn't want to be seen, and he didn't quite know why. Still, no emotion, just a desire to stay hidden.
"Vincent?" Cid tried again, and scratched the back of his head in confusion, "I coulda sworn...I thought I saw..."
"Hey Cid!" Someone called out from the crowd, "What're you doing all the way back there!"
"Just lookin' for my cigarettes!" Cid called back, and cast another furtive glance around the shadows, features tightened into a displeased scowl.
"Didn't even come to my #!£&in' wedding..." Vincent heard before the man turned around, walking back up to the crowd. He could've easily stepped into view, made himself known, wiped the frown off of Cid's face...
"Sorry Chief," Vincent whispered, and stuck to the shadows as he headed towards the quiet side-exit.
Two years later, and Vincent found himself on the outskirts of Rocket Town.
Although it could hardly be called that anymore, since the Rocket was long gone. It remained as quiet as peaceful as ever, the houses unchanged, even the weather the same. He had to wonder if it ever rained here, since every day seemed like summer.
He also had to wonder if anyone would remember him. Two years was a long time after all; he'd journeyed the world, visited every place, but not here. He'd frequently dropped by to see the other AVALANCHE members, but not Cid. Ever since that day in the church - that even now still seemed like a dream - he hadn't been able to face the man.
But now he was ready. Maybe. He was still apprehensive about seeing Cid again, about how the pilot would react. Welcoming arms or furious hostility? Really, it could go either way. But he couldn't put it off any longer - two years was too long to only dwell on thoughts of Cid, and not finally work up the nerve to visit.
Stood on the oh-so-familiar doorstep, Vincent knocked three times - hard, and with his left hand, because he knew from experience that Cid wouldn't hear him otherwise. He was also fairly certain that Cid would be working on the Tiny Bronco or some other project in his back garden.
No response. He tried again.
"Sheeera! Get the door!" He heard. So Cid was in the back garden.
But no-one answered. He knocked again.
"SHEEEEERA!" Nothing. Vincent heard an irritable sigh before "I gotta do everythin' around here..." and footsteps stomped towards the front door. He waited patiently for Cid to arrive.
"Alright, what the hell do you-" Cid managed to say before his jaw dropped open in shock, and the ever-present cigarette fell to the floor; "Vincent...?"