Chapter 5

Winter was upon Edge in full force. Outside the snow blew in thick plumes. After the planet had to end the war with meteor, the seasons were thrown in chaos. Cloud sat staring out the kitchen window at the gray mess outside. He loathed the thought of having to go deliver packages in the cold snow, but he never planned on Midgar turning into something akin to the Northern Cave. Vincent walked through the front door, his clothing and hair wet from the melting snow still clinging to him.

Placing a kiss on the blond's lips, he stepped into the kitchen, removing his gear in the process.

"I talked to Cid today; he says there's another big storm coming behind this one. We should be getting some two feet of snow in the next three days." Taking off his heavy cloak and draping it over a chair, he walked over to the stove and poured himself some hot tea.

"Great more snow. Just what I need," he turned to face the taller man behind him. "Marlene's still in bed. Her school closed due to the roads." Vincent nodded and wrapped an arm around the man's solid waist.

"You're losing weight."

"I guess I just don't eat much. Work's been demanding." Vincent frowned at the poor excuse.

"You need to eat Cloud. Especially in this weather." Cloud nodded, his eyes fixed out the window. He felt the man's arms squeeze him tighter and smiled sadly as his lover's face nuzzled his neck.

"Yuffie called. She says everyone's getting together for a Christmas party." Vincent nodded blankly, reverting to looking out the window as well.

"Should we go?" Cloud wasn't sure of what Vincent would want. Vincent was about to answer when the door bell rang. Cloud moved to answer it. At the door, covered in half melted snow, stood Nanaki, his red fur the color of clay and his flaming tail lazily swinging back and forth.

"Red, uh, come in," he stepped aside allowing the big cat to enter. Nanaki shook the remaining snow and sauntered in, nodding at Vincent and turning towards Cloud, sitting down by the table.

"Cloud how have you been?" Nanaki looked mildly uncomfortable under the gazes of the two men as he tried to sound casual. His tail twitched anxiously, giving himself away to the black haired gunman.

"I'm fine. What brings you here to Edge? Cosmo Canyon's a long ways off from here." Cloud looked at him, watching his one yellow eye. There was a silence.

"Barret sent you, did he not?" Vincent shifted into a chair next to Nanaki's body, laying a hand on top of the beast's head, rubbing an ear with his normal hand. Nanaki sighed as much as an animal could. The mysterious gunman had always been perceptive. Very perceptive.

"I am to check on Marlene. Barret is still concerned for her safety and well being." This only brought another painful silence. "He is only concerned because of the last incident with Cloud." He hung his head low, Vincent now resting his arm on his lap.

Cloud looked out the window, snow still blowing in thick sheets. He remembered it. Vincent had gone away for three weeks, doing god knows what. This had sent him into a wild fit. One day while Marlene was at school, he had started drinking. In his sad stupor, he called Cid and Yuffie, screaming at them and threatening suicide. When Marlene came home from school, again disappointed that he had failed to pick her up, she found him lying on the floor in the bathroom, half dead with blood still pouring from his crudely slashed wrists. He looked the cat in the eye.

"Marlene is fine. She's sleeping right now," he paused, "and I'm fine too. No drinking or anything since then. Ask Vincent." He looked at his partner for comfermation.

Vincent had begged him to see a doctor when he returned from his trip. Marlene had called him in hysterics saying Cloud was dead. Vincent had rushed home as fast as he could, getting a ride from Cid in the Seira. He finally got Cloud to agree on taking medication for his depression. The blond's condition was still in need of healing, the scars on his wrists, a painful reminder to both men.

"Nanaki, I have been with Cloud daily since then, he is improving greatly." Nanaki looked in the livingroom, indicating Marlene.

"And Marlene?"

"She's been quite happy." Nanaki looked up at Vincent, noticing something different in his red eyes. He stood from the floor.

"Well I shall take both your words and shall burden you no more with such unhappy details." He took a few slow steps towards the door when Marlene walked into the kitchen. Her hair messed from sleep and her eyes still heavy. She yawned and waved at everyone.

"Good morning Nanaki," she walked over to him, past both men and wrapped the beast in a hug, "Morning Cloud, Vincent." She opened the fridge, pulling out a carton of orange juice. After taking a sip of her juice, a smile appeared on her face.

"Nanaki, are you here to visit?"

"I'm afraid not, darling, I was just leaving." He watched as a frown creased her face. It almost broke his heart, seeing her pout like that. Some humans just had those qualities. "But I could stay a bit longer if you like." Marlene's face lit up again. She looked over to Cloud hopefully.

"Can we go play outside?" Cloud nodded.

"Your coat and boots are in the laundry room." He grinned as she quick took off towards the living room, taking a turn for the laundry room. Turning to face the two remaining in the kitchen, Cloud spoke.

"Nanaki, tell Barret that Marlene is fine. I am taking good care of her." Marlene soon ran back into the kitchen all bundled up in her cold weather gear.

Vincent watched the two walk outside in the snow from the window, heading towards the park. He felt Cloud embrace him in a hug, the other's warm breath sweeping across his neck as the shorter man stood on his tip toes.

"Are you really okay Cloud?" Vincent's voice was soft and gentle.

"As long as you stay," Cloud whispered, trying to hold back tears while laying his head against the taller man's shoulder.

"I shall try Cloud, but fate is always changing," Cloud smiled despite this, hugging him even tighter.

"It doesn't matter what fate has to say." On tip toes, he pulled aside the long hair hanging over Vincent's pale neck. Placing a hungry kiss, he whispered quietly, "Because I love you."

At this remark, Vincent's heart felt uneasy. He smiled anyways, putting on a happy face for the fragile blond.

"I love you too Cloud," he sighed heavily, "I love you too." He looked at the clock above the stove.

"Cloud shouldn't you be out working?" Cloud rolled his eyes. Vincent sure did know how to ruin a mood.

"Yeah. I got six deliveries today. The others I can do tomorrow if the roads aren't too bad." He let go of Vincent, walking into the living room.

"The roads from Neighblem aren't too bad, at least this morning they were decent." Cloud turned and smirked half heartedly.

"Why don't you just move in with us? It'll save you gil and time." Vincent smiled softly, his lips chapped.

"Go do your deliveries. We'll talk about it when you get home."

OMFG! I posted this a little earlier than I thought... like fifteen mins after chapter four!!!! SMACK so much for being evil and making you wait eh? lol. I hope you're still liking it... this one's kind of bitter sweet... like an evanecence song... sigh lol R&R!