Vincent and Cait Sith's operator conversed briefly at different points during Meteorfall, but they didn't get to really know each other until it was all over. The operator turned out to be a Shinra executive, specifically the Head of Urban Development, Reeve Tuesti. Though Cloud and the rest should have held grudges toward Shinra—nearly all of them were affected by Shinra in some way—everyone accepted Reeve with open arms. He had been helping them, after all, and Cait Sith was as much a part of the group as anyone else.

Vincent first met Reeve in person at the post-victory party at the new Seventh Heaven, half a year after Meteor had been destroyed. He was a tall man, smartly dressed, with a beard and hair parted in the middle that curled a little at the ends. His dark brown eyes were warm, and his voice was deep and calm. He offered his hand and a welcoming smile to everyone he met. Overjoyed to see Vincent in person, he discussed his newest project, the World Regenesis Organization, that aimed to help the recovering Planet. In between sips of gin and tonic, Vincent watched him talk animatedly. His enthusiasm was contagious. He almost made Vincent smile a few times.

"How about we meet sometime for drinks" became a frequent request of Reeve's. Vincent never said much himself, just listened; watching Reeve talk was entertainment enough. He pretended like he didn't want any part in anything Reeve asked him to do. But when the Planet was in danger again, Vincent was right behind the WRO, fighting his own literal and mental demons at the same time he was fighting Shinra's demons. It was a long way back home from Lucrecia's cave after Omega and Chaos had returned to the Planet, and Vincent was thinking not of her, but of everyone waiting at home for him, and especially Reeve. The conflict had brought them even closer, working side by side to stop Deepground.

When Vincent made it back to Edge, he went to Seventh Heaven right away, where he knew everyone would be waiting. He got pats on the shoulder, hugs, and a scolding (that was from Yuffie). Looking around the room in confusion, he didn't have to pose the question that was on his mind—Tifa answered. "The last one's out back. In the garden." Vincent nodded, said "thank you," and walked out the back door. He was sitting at the table, staring straight ahead, his chin in his hand, a mug of tea set before him that was probably growing cold. Vincent cleared his throat. Reeve turned his head.

"Vincent!" Reeve stood up. "Hi! Welcome back!" His eyes brightened, and he was stumbling over his words. "I was so worried—we were all so worried about you! I thought you might have… you know, after stopping Omega—"

"I'm just fine," Vincent said. "I'm glad to be back."

"And I'm so happy you're back. Oh, Vincent, I was losing sleep worrying over you. I'm just so—"

"Hey," Vincent said, noticing tears beading up in Reeve's eyes. "It's all over. We can relax now."

They relaxed by going out for drinks, just like old times, that evening. Reeve announced his plan to settle in an apartment rather than the headquarters. A small place in Edge, still close to anyone who might need his help, with a room he could set aside to work on his Cait Siths. He planned to turn them into therapy animals for the children's hospital division of the WRO.

"Are you going to adopt a cat?" Vincent asked.

"Why do you ask that?"

"You said that was the reason you made Cait Sith in the first place. You weren't able to have a cat as a kid."

Reeve's eyes lit up in recognition. "Wow. How'd you remember? I can't remember telling you that. Must have been a while ago. But anyway"—he rubbed his beard for a moment before he responded—"I'm thinking about it, assuming I'm not allergic anymore. It would be nice to have some company at home."

"It would be nice," Vincent echoed without thinking.

"You just gave me a great idea," Reeve said, smiling widely. "I'll have you over at my place after I'm done moving in. It'll be a little housewarming party, just us two. And if I get the cat, I'll let you know."

"Just us two?"

"Of course." Reeve put his hand on Vincent's shoulder. "I can't invite the entire WRO."

In the days after that meeting, Vincent read the realty section, looking at the open apartments and their amenities and rent costs. Tifa assured him there was no hurry, and he knew she would never kick him out. She said he was a guest and he didn't need to pay any rent. But as days turned into weeks, he felt worse about staying there, and he checked his phone daily, wondering if Reeve was too busy moving or too busy hunting to call or text back.

"Have you heard anything about Reeve?" he asked at breakfast after three weeks had passed.

"He's got WRO business, doesn't he?" Cloud said, his mouth full of cereal.

"Yeah," Tifa confirmed. "He's moving into his new apartment as well. Oops," she said, holding a hand in front of her mouth.

"What?" Vincent said.

"I wasn't supposed to tell you that. He wanted it to be a surprise."

Vincent was left to wonder for the next three days why it was supposed to be a surprise until he finally got a call from Reeve to meet him at the train station in West Edge. They rode the train down to an apartment complex where they walked up the stairs and into Reeve's home.

"Welcome home, Vincent," Reeve said. "Your bedroom's the second room on the right."

Vincent's breath hitched. "My… bedroom?"

Reeve smiled. "Well, you need a place to stay, don't you? I looked for a two-bedroom apartment specifically for that reason. I figured you wouldn't have a problem sharing with me. And look who's here." He bent down as a tan, fluffy cat approached them. "This is Dusty."

Under other circumstances, Vincent might have made a snide comment about Reeve's choice in names. But he hadn't seen or petted a real cat in years. He knelt right down to scratch Dusty between the ears. After sniffing Vincent's hand in suspicion, it warmed up to him instantly, purring as he stroked its head and neck. He leaned his head forward and it nuzzled its head into his face. His eyes began to water, and he gently wrapped his arm around Dusty, running his fingers through its fur.

"October 13, right?"

Reeve's voice shocked Vincent and he pinched Dusty's fur in his hand. The cat backed away, watching the two from a distance. "What about October 13?"

"Your birthday. I asked Cloud. He's the one who has everyone's birthdays written down."

"Yes. It's in two days." Vincent looked up at Reeve.

"Well," Reeve gestured to the apartment and to the cat, "your present came early. Do you like it?"

Vincent's face was growing warm. "I can't accept this. You're… This is too much. How can you give so much?"

"Because you've given me so much." Vincent stood up to meet Reeve's eyes. "All the times we've spent together. Your help when I needed it. Your trust, and I hope you'll also give me something else." He looked at his feet, then back up at Vincent. "Your love."

"I…" Vincent stuttered. He held his hand to his heart. "What…"

Reeve swallowed. "I suppose that was a little forward of—"

"No. No, it wasn't." Vincent shook his head. "I had no idea. If I would have known, I would've said something sooner."

"You mean—"

"Yes."

"Well, then." Reeve, beaming from ear to ear, didn't even try to hide the redness of his face. "This worked out even better than I thought it might."

"Did you think I was going to turn you down?"

"I mean, there's always a little bit of fear when you tell someone how you feel, isn't there?"

Vincent closed his eyes briefly. "Yes. There is."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"It's all right. Things are different now." He stooped down to pet Dusty as it rubbed against his knees. "Back then, I didn't have anything. I lost my cat, my parents, the woman I loved. But now"—he got to his feet and put his right hand on Reeve's shoulder—"I have a cat. I have a home. And I have the man I love."

"And maybe that's all one really needs." Reeve held out his arms, and Vincent allowed himself to be drawn into his embrace.