Yay! Chapter 3:dances: Anyway, this would be one of the chapters that forced me to change the rating to M. Contains soft yaoi, just so you've been warned. I know Vincent's a little OOC, but I don't blame him for the way he acts. Heh. Yay drunk!Cid.

Chapter 3: A Cold Night in Hell

"Nngg... Hey, Vinny." Vincent squeezed his eyes shut harder, trying to fall back into his soundless sleep. But someone was keeping him from achieving his wish. Groaning at the shaking he suddenly felt on his shoulder, he opened one eye slowly. "Huh-hey! He's alive!" Vincent shook his head to clear it from its fuzziness when he realized who was speaking.

Cid's face was inches from his. Vincent almost gagged as the alcohol-soaked breath hit him. He felt a weight on his midsection and strained to look down, startled by what he saw. Cid was straddling him, still shaking his shoulder.

"C-Cid! What are you doing?" he hissed menacingly. He shoved at the drunken man, trying to dislodge him from his stomach. The blonde reeked of beer and whiskey. He must have gotten smashed then decided to come up to the room instead of passing out at the bar. Vincent could only guess what had made him end up here. "Cid! I said get off!" He shoved once more, this time managing to get into a sitting position.

Cid grinned, his blue eyes laughing. "Vinnnny, whasyer problem?" Pulling his knees up, he leaned forward and lost all sense of balance. Vincent reached forward instinctively, catching the pilot.

However, the blonde's weight was underestimated and he continued to fall, forcing Vincent back against the bed. A gasp ripped from the dark-haired man's throat at the body suddenly in his arms. "C-Cid, come on. G-get off!" Pushing lightly, Vincent began running ideas through his head. If only he could get out from under Cid, he could drag the pilot over to his own bed. Or, even easier, just leave him there. Then Vincent could find somewhere else to sleep…alone.

He stopped pushing on the other man's shoulders for a second, taking a breath. I never knew he was this heavy! Once again drawing up his strength, Vincent shoved against the pilot. But instead of the expected response, Cid getting up and leaving, he did the most unlikely thing. Vincent gasped again as Cid wrapped his arms around his waist, snuggling into his chest. Searching for something to say he glanced around, desperate for an escape.

"Cid! Get off of me now! This is the last time I'm asking! Next time you're going to find yourself on the floor!" he whispered fiercely. The last thing he wanted was for one of the others to hear him and walk in on the scene.

Cid squeezed Vincent tighter, drawing himself upward. "Nmm…I don't wanna…I just wanna stay here. 's all nice an' warm," the man murmured. Vincent now wished he hadn't decided to take his cloak and shirt off. Cid was far too close for any comfort, but those articles might have added some protection, even if it was thin.

Well, Vincent thought harshly, I guess this proves I'm not gay. If I was, I wouldn't be trying my damnedest to escape, would I?

He closed his eyes for a second to rest, but when he opened them that blonde head was still right below his chin. Groaning from annoyance, he shifted his weight slightly. In the position he was now, there was not a single thing he could do. Cid was practically laying on him completely, arms wrapped around him, hands clasped behind his back. If he could only get his upper body free…

Cid suddenly tightened his grasp again. Vincent winced as the other man drew himself up to fully face him. Through half-closed eyes, the dark-haired man saw the tanned face less than an inch from his own. "Cid, back off! I'm telling yo—"

He hardly stood a chance at finishing the sentence as he felt Cid's lips on his own. Warm breath flowed into his and he pushed away, coughing as the pilot looked at him, confusion crossing his blue eyes. "But Vinny, I know about you, ya know. I mean whasyer problem with it? I know ya like guys." He pushed forward again, but was held at bay by Vincent's hand over his mouth.

"That's enough! I don't like guys, I'm not gay, and I most of all wouldn't do anything with you!" He wriggled around, trying once more to change his position. I just have to remember, he is drunk. He'd never do this sober. So he doesn't mean it. Somehow the thoughts didn't help reassure him.

Ever so cautious, he lowered his hand from Cid's mouth, not wanting to suffocate the man. "Now. Are you going to stop, or do I have to knock you out?"

Cid pouted ever so slightly, a most unbecoming look for the man. "But Vinny…" he whined, running one of his hands around to Vincent's front. He stroked the pale chest gently, smiling up all the while.

Finally Vincent couldn't stand it anymore. He grasped Cid's wrist, dragging the other out from behind him. Not paying attention to the blonde's wince of pain he pushed harder than before, knocking Cid off balance and allowing Vincent the room to escape. Letting go quickly, he watched half-focused as the pilot fell from the edge of the bed, a washed-out 'oww' drifting from the floor. Finally able to get a decent breath, he wrapped a fist around his shirt and cloak, making for the door as Cid staggered to his feet. A flash off to his left caught his eye and the black-haired man grasped the room key, slamming the door as he reached the hallway.

Sliding down the door from pure relief, he reached up and listened for that reassuring 'click' that meant Cid was trapped inside. He was hoping that the man would be too drunk to figure out the lock from the inside and give up. One last call of 'Vinny" faded out of the room and he heard a muffled thump. Cid must have fallen to the floor, the alcohol finally taking its final effect.

Still sitting on the floor, Vincent pulled on his shirt, making sure to clasp the cloak securely around his shoulders. Fresh air; that's what he needed. He pulled the collar of red cloth over his lower face. It would be cold outside, but he needed it.

He hardly had any recollection of descending the stairs or pushing the door open, yet he was there. The snow blew against his face, the wind ripping his hair from side to side. How could he have left himself so open to that? It was if he had simply passed out earlier without any thought to the man who would later join him. With a recoil of disgust, he spat the last taste of stale alcohol out of his mouth. What had Cid been thinking? Had he been thinking?

Wiping a hand across his mouth, Vincent turned his crimson gaze to the full moon above him. Why was all this happening now? First the dreams, now this…what could go wrong next? He shuddered, thinking of the possibilities. He had to fix this soon. But how?

Sephiroth. That was the only person who could make this stop. If he could find Sephiroth and confirm the dreams weren't his real memories then he might be able to deal with it. But what if Sephiroth only agreed with him? What if the dreams were real? What if Cid had been on the right track all along? What if…

A searing pain ripped through his head, forcing him to his knees. The snow muffled his gasp as the wind carried it away. Gasping for air, Vincent dropped to his hands, panting at the pain. Lightning seemed to continue tracing through him, blinding his vision to pure white pain.

That's when he saw it. The mansion, the room, the silver-haired child, it was all there. No, not another one. I can't take another one. But his silent plea went unnoticed. Watching helplessly, he felt himself drawn into the younger Vincent, drawn into the memory himself.

The child turned, aqua eyes dancing. "Hey, Vincent. We'll always be together, right?" That innocent smile. It couldn't possibly the power-hungry man they knew now. Yet…who else could it be?

Vincent found himself locked by this world of memory. He couldn't consciously move, only watch as the dream played out. He tried desperately to stop himself from pulling the child into his arms. "Yeah. We will. I'll never let you go." A smile he hadn't even known had existed ghosted across his lips as he hugged the child. No, NO! Please stop!

His field of vision drew blank and he thought with pure relief that it was over. Instead, when he opened his weary eyes again, those aqua eyes were still locked with him. He could tell this was different than last time, closer to the present.

Unable to hold his own will, he clasped the child to his chest. "Vincent, you know I love you, right?" Those innocent eyes again, this time filled with a delicate adoration. "Right?" The child snuggled closer to him, the warmth of the smaller body mingling with his own.

Vincent watched in horror as he lifted the elegant chin and looked into those piercingly sweet eyes. "Yeah. I know." The child placed his hands on the man's shoulders and sat up, leaning in closer. Vincent almost yelled as their lips touched, the kiss lingering. But he would have gone unheard anyway. No! I refuse to believe! This can't be real! Somebody stop this nightmare! I can't—

"Vincent." The sweet voice caressed the man's ears like velvet. The memory had changed again, this time showing a slightly older child before him. But still those silver locks and the aqua gaze remained. That hadn't changed. He watched as he reached forward, pushing a few strands of spun silver out of the child's eyes.

"Yes?"

A faint touch of pink came over the child, a fair blush. "Vincent. I know you love me. A-and I love you. So…" The child looked away, suddenly silent and seeming so much older.

Vincent stroked the pale cheek, turning the fair face to him. "Yes?"

Throwing strong arms around him, the child buried a tired face into his shirt. Vincent could almost feel the tears soaking through the fabric, but something separated him from the sensation. The Vincent in the room looked down at the child softly. "I-I want you Vincent."

Vincent heard a silvery laugh pour from his lips. "But you have me, right here. Do you think I've been an illusion all along?"

"No. But I-I want you." Silver hair fell across that saddening gaze. "It could all disappear tomorrow. If Hojo does come for one of us, I want to know I didn't miss my opportunity."

What? This kid has got to be kidding! This has got to stop! But instead of shouting out the words, his voice was delicate and soft. "You know what you're asking. I can't allow this Se—"

"Please!" Tears rimmed the aqua eyes. Just like that first time. "I want the opportunity to know you. To know you completely." The child reached up and pulled Vincent's head down, placing a kiss on the man's lips. "Just this once, I want to be part of you." A warm hand slipped under Vincent's shirt, caressing the pale skin of his shoulder. "This is my last request to you."

Vincent gasped, unable to believe what he'd heard. Not only had the child just asked the unthinkable, but he himself had almost said the name. That name. Sephiroth. No, it's not possible! Just shove the child away and tell him no! Please! I don't want this to happen! That isn't me! That isn't Sephiroth! This isn't real! He screamed silently as his body pulled the child closer, placing kisses on the tender skin. The warm hands wound their way down his sides, grasping the ragged shirt to pull it loose from his pants. Nimble fingers quickly unfastened the buttons and soon Vincent's pale chest was revealed, hot against the child's touch.

No, No, NO! Let me go! Let me escape this! It-it can't happen! It didn't happen! "NO!" Vincent screamed the word for all he was worth and felt himself falling. Soft snow pillowed his fall and he weakly opened his crimson eyes to pure white. The feeling of the tiny flakes settling on his lashes and cheek made him feel somewhat relieved. Almost…almost safe. The lights of the houses glared warmly at him through the snowstorm as though guiding a lost soul home. But did he even deserve a soul if he did in fact do that?

He breathed in the cold air, almost laughing as it scoured his lungs. Full feeling: that's what he had now. He never knew he could love that sensation so much. A peaceful feeling spread through his body, comforting him. The pure whiteness overtook his vision again, but this time it was different. The glaring white was dimming into black, pulling him into unconsciousness. The last thing he truly felt were his tears running down his cheek to mingle with the melting snow, only to refreeze into crystal drops on his skin.

Yay for chapter 3! Yeah, more drama. But this is the first glimpse of the angsty goodness lying ahead. I actually feel sorry for Vincent though. Really I do. Well, anyway, next chapter:runs of to think of more angst:

Reviews always welcome! They help me improve. No flaming though, please! I don't think those help anyone.