Yes, this story's all yaoi / slash / m/m / whatever you wanna call it. So just go ahead and skedaddle if you don't wanna deal with all that, cos I don't wanna hear about it.

(Characters belong to Squeeeeenix.)

(The thoughts. They look like this)

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04. I'll Lay Awake For A While, I'll Leave The Light On A While.

(Narrator's POV)

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Costa del Sol was surprisingly not busy this time of year; a fact that Vincent particularly liked. The group had checked into the hotel early and was going to use the rest of the day for some well-deserved down time.

"I gotcha somethin'." Cid came into the room he was sharing with Vincent. For about five months now, he had been giving the gunman little random gifts of affection. He found the corner Vincent was hiding in and held his gift out proudly. Vincent carefully took the dark red rose that was being offered to him and looked up at Cid. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"It reminded me of you," Cid shrugged. "You wanna take a nap?"

Vincent nodded and admired the flower for a moment before standing. He set it delicately on the bedside table and lay down next to Cid.

It was dark outside when they awoke. The calming crash of waves could be heard through the open window. "You wanna go down to the beach? Go swimming, maybe?" Cid asked.

"In what?" Vincent asked. "I don't have any swimming trunks."

If he could get out of a trip to the beach, the more clothes he could wear. And the more clothes he could wear, the more comfortable he felt. But after several minutes of persuasion, Vincent reluctantly stood at the doorway in his boxer shorts, hunched over some, with the largest towel he could find around his shoulders and back so he could cover up as much skin as possible. Cid ran past him, expecting to be followed.

"Come on, Vinny! There's nobody out here. And I won't look!" Cid covered his eyes and tripped. "Shit! Well, I might hafta look a little bit."

Vincent looked around the area. It looked empty enough, so he hesitantly began to walk out onto the beach.

"You're gonna get your towel all wet," Cid kicked some water at Vincent once they had reached the water. "Then it won't do any good keeping you dry."

"That's not what it's for," Vincent said, backing up a bit from the water's edge.

"You're really gonna be that shy?" Cid asked. Vincent shrugged. "Well fine, Vampy. Then let's just go back inside so you can sit and pout and be no fun."

"I may be no fun, but I am not a goddamn vampire," Vincent protested. The comment obviously irritated him. "I'm not comfortable with being so...uncovered. It makes me feel too vulnerable," he admitted, feeling embarrassed. Cid walked over to face him, intent on getting his friend to open up.

"Listen," he gently lifted Vincent's head up, looking him straight in the eyes. "There's no one else around to see you. Only me. I promise I won't hurt you or make fun of you or whatever it is you're worried about. All I want is for us to have a good time together, okay?"

Vincent stayed silent, searching the pilot's face for any sign of deception, finding nothing. Glancing down and nervously biting his bottom lip, he let the towel slip from his shoulders and tossed it away from the water.

Cid gave a comforting smile, trying not to pay too much attention to the mess of scars that marred his friend's body. Though it was heartbreaking to see them, they somehow only enhanced his beauty and did nothing to take it away. "There ya go. That's not so bad, now is it?"

"You really are okay with this?" Vincent asked insecurely.

"Yeah," Cid pulled him into a strong embrace. "Yeah, I really am okay with it."

Vincent returned the hug and buried his face against Cid's neck.

"Wanna go swim now?" Cid wanted to stay where they were all night long, but Vincent's warm body against his own, the soft hair tickling his cheek, the heated breath on his neck...it was getting to be too much and he had to restrain himself.

Cid paddled about and made a fool of himself in order to amuse Vincent, who stayed sitting in the sand, letting the water rush up over his feet and legs. "Damn it's cold," Cid cursed when he decided he'd had enough swimming. He sat next to Vincent, trying to not get too close, but not too far away. "Having fun?" he asked hopefully.

"Mhmm," Vincent nodded and continued to watch the moonlight reflect off the water.

"Good," Cid turned around, occupying himself with something on the ground. Vincent looked to see what had the pilot's attention. He saw 'Cid 3 Vinny' drawn in the sand and Cid with a big grin on his face. Vincent couldn't help but smile. It was silly and childish but it made him feel warm inside.

A small wave gushed up and erased the drawing. Cid's jaw dropped. "That son of a bitch. Don't you take my love away!" he shouted jokingly toward the ocean.

"It's alright, Highwind. We'll always have the memory of your artwork," Vincent shifted closer to the pilot.

"Yeah, I guess," Cid shifted closer to the gunman.

They sat for a while, looking at the sky, and then finally at each other.

"Should we go back in?" Cid asked.

"No, not quite yet," Vincent said, just above a whisper, and impulsively pressed his lips to Cid's. They both stayed still for a moment, letting actions sink in. Cid placed his hand on the back of Vincent's head, drawing him closer, and deepening the kiss. Mouths parted slightly and their tongues met, casually stroking each other. The kiss ended and confident blue eyes stared into nervous red ones.

"I've been waiting for this for so long," Cid leaned in for another kiss and got exactly what he wanted.