Haunted by the Past- Nightmares
Cloud watched in horror. He couldn't move, couldn't shout a warning as the black garbed swordsman landed gently. It took less than a second for the sword to swing out, burying itself into the second person Cloud had allowed himself to love. The figure collapsed, limp form held up only by the massive blade. Sephiroth stood a moment, slowly drawing the blade out and increasing the suffering. Cloud still couldn't move; his mind screamed against whatever evil held him motionless as he watched his love's murder. The general finally pulled the sword out, flourishing it the air as he resheathed it, showing the blood tainting it. He flashed a smirk at Cloud before leaping into the skies, cruel laughter ringing out. His departure freed Cloud from whatever torment had held him, and he stumbled as fast as he could to his love's side. There was still a pulse, still some small hope. But at that moment Sephiroth voice echoed through the chamber, sending chills down Cloud's spine.
"You, slave, are not allowed to love."
The chamber was suddenly silent, and Cloud watched the only person he cared about shudder once and lay still, now in the care of the Lifestream. He was dead. Sephiroth had killed him.
"No! Vincent!"
Cloud awoke screaming, unchecked tears flowing down his face. He fought against the blankets around him, falling to the floor and stumbling into the adjoining restroom just in time. The swordsman's heart still screamed as he retched, torn by the nightmare it had suffered through. Cloud vaguely realized that he was still weeping as he collapsed against a wall, drawing knees tight to his chest. The blond was so determined to block out the world that he didn't hear the soft footsteps that approached him, and flinched in surprise as pale arms wrapped themselves around his shoulders, pulling him to rest against a slender, comforting chest.
"Cloud? What's wrong? What happened?"
At the sound of the voice, Cloud relaxed against the person holding him, burying his face into the person's shoulder. Vincent Valentine ran a gentle hand through the spiked blond hair, feeling the swordsman's silent sobs soak his thin cotton shirt. It was the third time this week that Cloud had awoken with nightmares, but he'd never had a reaction like this. The gunman understood nightmares better than anyone, and knew that Cloud had enough drama in his past to fuel a thousand years of horror. And he knew that Cloud would never wake him up intentionally, which was the reason Vincent had been so startled. The swordsman never wanted to talk about the dreams that plagued him, though Vincent had inquired about them before. After all, releasing the truth of his own nightmares to Nanaki one night on the Highwind had made a difference. He hadn't wanted to burden anyone with the memory of his own sins, but the Cosmo Canyon guardian had been insistent, telling him that the only way to get past the fears were to let them go, and not bottle them up. Vincent could still remember the horror on Nanaki's face when he revealed the extent of Hojo's torture, but it had felt much better to release his troubles.
"Cloud?
The blond swordsman looked up. Vincent. Vincent was there, holding him close. He was alive; Cloud could feel the gunman's heartbeat, a slow, steady beat that showed life, that fended off death. His Vincent was still alive. Sephiroth was still dead, and Vincent was still alive.
"Yeah?"
"Are you alright now?"
"I think so."
"Nightmares again?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry I woke you."
"You didn't. Cloud..."
"Please, Vincent, I don't want to talk about it."
The gunman bit back a sigh. It wasn't that he was unhappy with his lover, but he wished that Cloud would realize the relief that confidence brought. No one knew the nightmare world better than Vincent; he had spent 30 years trapped in it's clutches, and had endured most of what the unconscious human psyche could dish out. Consequently, he knew a few behavioral habits that didn't work against nightmares. They included sulking, manic depression, speaking to one's personal demons (literally or metaphorically), choosing to stay in a coffin for extended periods of time, the compulsive collection of fire arms, burying one's phone in the back yard, and chronic self-deprivation. All of the above were bad things symptoms of life, and were usually cured by prolonged exposure to 'cuddle time' with Cloud Strife. Which, said swordsman was happy to provide.
"Vincent?"
The gunman looked into those blue eyes. There were still tears there, and fear. His love was still suffering from his nightmares, and there was nothing Vincent could do to help him. This one problem the swordsman would have to come to terms with on his won, and none of Vincent's almost limitless experience was going to help him.
"Yes, Cloud?"
"Promise you won't leave me?"
Vincent felt a sad smile pulling at his lips, and he ran a hand though those blond spikes.
"I won't, Cloud. I won't."
VxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxCVxC
Cloud didn't sleep again that night, and neither did Vincent. They were usually content with each other's company, but when Cloud decided that Vincent's book was interesting and decided to read over his shoulder, the gunman made an ultimate decision. Well, two ultimate decisions, but deciding not to kill his lover was not a new thing for him.
"Get dressed. If you're not going back to sleep then we might as well do something productive."
"But this chapter is really good!"
"Yes, I know. And if you want to live to see the end of it you will do as I say."
An hour later, dressed for the coolness of the night, they left the apartment. They were going to work getting the manor furnished, a high item on Vincent's priority list. He had used a fraction of his savings (the value of his stocks had skyrocketed during his 'little nap') to rebuild ShinRa Manor on the vast plains between Cosmo Canyon and Midgar. There they would be completely undisturbed by anyone but their friends, which wasn't really a disturbance at all, and then the life that they had planned together would start. Vincent loved the chore, loved working with Cloud as they slowly built the empty shell of a mansion into a home for them and their friends.
Cloud loved getting there. Getting to the site was fastest on Fenrir, and he could use his 'look-at-me-I'm-begging-you' face to get Vincent to ride with him. He loved the feeling of Vincent's arms around his chest, his cloak streaming behind them as Cloud did everything he could to make Vincent cling to him tighter. Of course, there was the one time he had taken a corner way too fast (for Vincent) and the gunman had jumped off the bike and walked the rest of the way. Needless to say, Cloud was not thanked for the incident, and was quite alone for the trip back to Midgar. Which Vincent beat him to.
Lousy über fast runner person.
A/N: Chapter 1 is done! Huzzah, my life has meaning again! In case you noticed (or cared), my current obsession is Final Fantasy VII. I'm sort of a Cloud/Vincent, Vincent/Cid, RudexReno fan so those are what I'll mostly be writing. Thanks much for reading. Please drop a review, even if you just tell me that you read it. Thanks!