Hey guys. Here it is. This is all I could get out at the moment. I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

"Cloud, are you going to tell me what's wrong with Vincent or not?" Tifa asked.

Cloud sat on the bar counter as Tifa went about cleaning the countless glasses. The bar had closed half an hour ago, around one in the morning, and shortly after Cloud had stepped into the door.

"It's his business. I can't tell you," Cloud said, staring at his hands. "I'm helping him as best I can."

"But-"

"Tifa. Later, when all of this is fixed, I'll tell you," Cloud said. "I promise."

"It's been a month! You disappear for entire nights! What could Vincent possibly be having trouble with that only you can help him? Why can't we?" she growled, her anger easily displayed.

"It's complicated," Cloud sighed. "I'm sorry, Tifa."

"Ugh. I'm going to bed. I'll finish in the morning," she grumbled.

Cloud watched as she tromped up the stairs, disappearing into her room, and then sighed. There was no way he was going to tell Tifa what was really going on; at least not until Vincent was sure of his feelings. But until then, everything would remain a carefully guarded secret.

CVCVCV

"You were gone again," Shelke said. It was after midnight and Vincent had returned to the small apartment he shared with Shelke whenever he was in town.

"It isn't your business," Vincent said. "I thank you for letting me stay here, but please, stay out of my problems."

Shelke didn't blink, her eyes locked with his, not flickering once down to the book she held in her hands. "Alright. Sleep well."

"You too."

He made his way past her and into the room beyond the entry way, shutting the door behind him. With his clawed hand, he released the clasp of his cloak and let it flutter to the ground before stripping off his shoes as well. He lay down on top of the covers, arms by his sides and legs straight, eyes staring at the ceiling as if it held all of the answers for his swirling and uneasy mind.

The thoughts wouldn't allow sleep to come to him, evading his every attempt to get some rest. Sleep was like a wisp of smoke he was trying to grab, sliding through his fingers in small tendrils. Eventually, after an hour or so, he fell to sleep, his vision closing in around him.

When his eyes opened, light was streaming through the window, right into his eyes. He winced and turned so he wasn't staring directly into the light. The light was a reminder that he was still alive when it sent small sparks of pain through his eyes, assuring him that his dream was not reality. He had not died…

CVCVCV

Cloud waited that night for Vincent, rising to his feet when the dark haired man arrived in a swirl of a red cloak. The man was troubled, he could tell by the skittish look that was so unfamiliar to the man. What could've possibly spooked Vincent so badly?

"Vince…?" he asked softly, approaching him slowly.

"I don't want to die…" Vincent whispered.

"What are you talking about?" Cloud asked, eyebrows furrowing in worry as he grew close enough to hug the other man around the waist.

"Last night I had a dream. You died and the darkness took me over. It destroyed me from the inside out and I just…"

Cloud put a finger on his lips. "Calm down. You're shaking."

Vincent buried his face abruptly in Cloud's neck, shuddering and short breaths hitting his neck as his hands clenched around Cloud's waist in a painful grip. Cloud could feel every tremor and quake that wracked Vincent's body and the unbelievable notion that Vincent might've been crying crossed his mind. But that wasn't possible was it?

"Vincent…are you all right?"

"Of course not," Vincent muttered, voice strong despite his almost frantic shaking. His body and voice said completely opposite things.

"I'm not going to leave. You should know I can hold my own against others."

"Not even you are immortal, Cloud," Vincent said.

Neither of them spoke and Cloud waited patiently for the tremors to stop, mulling over what Vincent had said. It was, of course, true. To be honest, though, despite all the near death experiences he had gone through, he didn't, couldn't, or maybe wouldn't, imagine a time when he wouldn't be strong enough. Maybe he was just getting cocky. Then again, that didn't seem very like him.

Finally, the shaking subside and Cloud drew away so he could look Vincent in the eye. Of course, the man hadn't been crying; it was ridiculous to think something like that would actually happen.

"I may not love you, but you mean enough to me that the darkness would crush me," Vincent said.

"How long will it take for you to realize I'm not going to die anytime soon?" Cloud asked.

"Don't know."

Cloud moved closer again, cradling the man gently. Vincent sighed, arms entwining firmly around him, squeezing once tightly before pulling away completely.

"Come with me tonight. I don't want to be alone."

"Alright."

Vincent slept easily that night, arms wrapped firmly around the blond, face tucked into the slim neck, soft steady breathing in his ear. He was going to be okay. Cloud wasn't going anywhere.

R.I.P Gail