The four finally reached the Old Man's cabin and knocked on the door. It flung open as Yuffie pounced on Cloud, knocking him to the ground. Barret, Nanaki and Cait appeared in the doorway as well. An old man wearing a plaid vest welcomed the rest of the party to stay in. Tifa told the rest about their blizzard experience. Everyone sat down around a fireplace, the flame casting a yellowish hue on everyone's faces. Cid turned to see how dark the outside world had become. Already? He thought. The elderly innkeeper reeled in a cart of hot porridge, which everyone took except for Vincent. He excused himself early and walked back to his room wanting to get some rest. Cid finished his meal and said his goodnights to everyone and chased after the gunman.
He opened the door to the room and saw Vincent sleeping on his bed. Cid tiptoed in and plopped down on his own and watched Vincent's blanket move up and down from his breathing. Cid rolled over and recalled the past two days. He and Vincent had been arguing nonstop…all over something he couldn't quite put his finger on. That's right sleeping. Well he's asleep now so maybe he won't be so bitchy tomorrow morning. He looked at the clock, twenty minutes to midnight. He knew that they still had a long way to go before reaching the cliff site. "Better get some shut eye I suppose…"
Tied down. He was tied down, his arms, legs, neck, everything. Drips and wires dug through his skin and into his flesh pumping vile fluid into him. He gasped and felt pain rushing through his body. He could almost see that his veins wanted to rupture and explode. His heartbeat sounded through every cell of his body. Vincent tried to scream, but his voice was mute. His eyes saw nothing. He could only feel the serpent-like equipment change his bodily form. Different instruments and machinery whistled, deafening his ears. And through it all he could hear the maniacal laughter of one particular man. He cried for help but to no avail. Nothing was coming to help him; nothing was going to save him. Monsters and creatures screeched from inside him, it drove him insane. All his movements were disabled. There was no escape, no way out. All he could do was lie there and endure for as long as he could. Vincent… He heard his name. Vincent..!! Who was it..? Vincent!!
"VINCENT!!" Cid shook him harder and waited for him to awaken. Finally Vincent struck up, their heads collided and each man grabbed their head in pain. Cid had fallen to the floor and boorishly got up from the ground. Vincent sat panting, he gripped the blanket and leaned forward. The pilot could see a cold sweat drip down Vincent's back. He wondered how on earth he couldn't have been cold. The gunman abruptly got up and bolted to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. Cid leaned himself against the bed and stared at the light that leaked from the bathroom. He heard choking and gagging and jumped up; sprinting to the lavatory. Vincent sank to the floor gasping for breath, water dripped from his face down to his chest that puffed in and out of air. Cid knelt down and laid both of his hands on Vincent's shoulders.
"You okay?!" Cid's eyes welled with concern. Vincent continued trying to catch his breath; more so his heartbeat was racing more than he could think. He felt utterly sick. He pushed Cid out of the way and crouched over the toilet letting his stomach churn. His body wanted to throw up, but he remembered that he hadn't eaten anything for the past two days. Vincent felt Cid grab him from behind. The pilot stood up trying to help Vincent to his feet. He felt his knees buckle. He couldn't think; the nightmare had destroyed his ability to even stand.
"Come on I'll help you back to bed." He took small steps letting Vincent try to move his feet along with him. Vincent collapsed onto the mattress and buried his face into the sheets. His whole body was shaking uncontrollably. He felt himself starting to hyperventilate and squeezed the bed cloth. He choked on his saliva and entered into a fit of coughing.
"Stop that! You're just gonna make things worse." Cid sat down beside him and let his hands wrap around Vincent's waist bringing him to breathe properly. He let his legs surround Vincent's and waited for the gunman to return from his hysteria. Cid occasionally shushed Vincent telling him to relax.
"C—Cid." Vincent managed to choke.
"Hmm?" He felt Vincent's hand squeeze his. He shut his mouth closed, trying desperately to stop shaking. It had been what seemed like hours now. He coughed again and resumed choking out a few words.
"I'm—s—orry I snapped at—you before." Every syllable was followed by a gasp. Cid hugged him from behind. He could feel the warmth of the pilot radiate onto his back.
"Nah it's my fault…." Cid sat still for a moment and sighed into Vincent's ear. He shivered. "Is this why you haven't been able to sleep?" He continued to feel Vincent's constant shaking. Apparently his silence meant, "Yes." Cid slid his hand up across the gunman's chest and stopped it over his heart; feeling the beat drum up against his palm. Vincent's short breaths scared the daylights out of him. He knew that his friend wasn't in any mortal danger but seeing him in this state made it seem so. He lifted his hand to wipe off some saliva that had escaped Vincent's mouth.
"Try to take some deep breaths alright?" He drew Vincent's body down with him to lie down on the full sized bed. He hugged him closer to his chest hoping that their breathing would eventually join together. Vincent squeezed the back of Cid's shirt and drew himself even closer. He felt himself cringe at the horrors he had experienced in his sleep; it kept replaying in his mind, over and over and over…. He couldn't sleep. He refused to.
"You want me to stay here?" He felt himself being squeezed harder.
"…I'm sorry."
"What for?" He grinned and rubbed the top of Vincent's hair. "I don't mind this at all. Let's just try to get some sleep, kay'?"
"I can't." Vincent released his hold on Cid and let his hands curl up to his chest.
"You're such a baby, you gonna let some nightmare keep your ass up the rest of your life? I suppose you believe in closet monsters too huh?" He chuckled and felt Vincent sink down lower under the covers. He stopped.
"I'm kidding. If it bothers you that much I'll stay with you till you fall asleep."
"I'm not going to."
"You'll have to eventually."
"No."
"Yes."
"…."
Cid looked at the clock. It was still hours before the sun would rise. He could do this all night, arguing with Vincent that is, or they could do something else. He rolled over Vincent and pinned down his arms. He stood wide-eyed at Cid who pushed his lips against his own. He felt the pilots tongue enter his mouth and tasted all of tobacco, saliva, and Cid. He moved his hand to rake up some golden hair. Cid wished he could go further but knew that he would be taking advantage of the situation. He released himself from Vincent's mouth; the gunman gasped for air, still feeling Cid on top of him. Cid rolled back to his position beside Vincent. Blue eyes met crimson and they stayed staring at one another. Cid reached over to put his hand on a pale cheek. Likewise the gunman laid his hand on top of Cid's and slowly let his eyes close. Cid smiled and laughed to himself. Knew you'd fall asleep sooner or later.