AN: Another update! I hope you're enjoying it. There will be a big time skip after this chapter, so the plot will speed up. Thank you for all your reviews and encouragement!
Warnings: Shameless fluff, language and violence.

Sephiroth looked up at him shyly. He was still in pain, even though the bullet wound had mainly be cured. He felt exhausted as he gazed into those deep crimson eyes.
"I did well?"
Vincent nodded, pulling the young boy closer, stroking his hair to try and reassure him.
"You did very well, you lead the troops perfectly."

Sephiroth looked away, nearly in tears.
"I… they were dying, and I couldn't help, I couldn't think. They were relying on me and I failed them." Vincent sighed and stroked his hair.
"You're right. There was nothing you could have done. You won. You lead your troops to victory."
Sephiroth nodded.
"It felt good. To fight, to feel like you were winning and to see the blood of your enemies. It's what I am meant to do. But then I got hurt. I failed."

Vincent sighed, rocking Sephiroth slightly in his arms.
"You did well." He hated hearing how much his innocent friend had enjoyed causing pain, how the child had felt he was fulfilling the role he was born for. It wasn't how he wanted this child to be, he didn't want to watch the innocence that was such an important part of him being destroyed. Sephiroth beamed up at him, reassured.

"I should sleep." The boy murmured, not wanting to make his injury worse by not giving it a chance to heal.

Vincent nodded and closed his eyes, stroking the child's hair.
"Yes, Sephiroth." He sighed. "Get some sleep, relax." The mission was nearly over, and if this continued then soon they would be able to return home. He hoped they could stay together. That was what he wanted. To be able to hold the small child, to comfort him and offer him sanctuary, without having to worry about the scientists and their horrific tortures. He was all the child had and he didn't want to fail him.

Sephiroth smiled, curling up closer but stroking the other's dark hair.
"You will stay here?" He whispered. He wanted to sleep, and he could sleep best if he was held within Vincent's arms, so that reassurances and comforts could be whispered in his ear throughout the night. Vincent nodded and Sephiroth held him tighter, smiling a little. "Thank you." He whispered, blushing a little as he continued. "I feel safe when I'm with you." He knew it was wrong. He was one of ShinRa's heroes, the most feared warrior in Gaia. He was infamous. He should not be relying on another person for comfort, especially when that person was nothing more than a prisoner. He couldn't help it.

Vincent smiled back.
"I am glad I could help. And Sephiroth? Everyone needs comfort sometimes." The boy's eyes widened, shocked that the other was able to tell what he had been thinking even when he had not voiced it, but he nodded and nuzzled closer, taking some of Vincent's dark hair, and plaiting it with his own silver locks. He smiled at the effect which was produced. It looked perfect. Elegant silvered ebony to remind him that he was loved, to remind them both that they weren't alone. They had each other, now and forever. Vincent raised his clawed had and undid the braid, laughing slightly.

Sephiroth cuddled up closer to him, tilting his head to look at him.
"One day Vincent, I'm going to escape from him. Then I'll come and find you and I will save you and we will be happy and we can stay together. We won't need to worry or be afraid. We'll live together and be happy and there won't be anything you ever want because I will get you everything you could need." Vincent smiled at that, stroking the boy's hair.
"I know you will." Sephiroth yawned slightly and looked up at him with devotion, thrilled with the trust which the other had demonstrated towards him. It was a comfort and what he had spoken was true, what he had planned. With that, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to sleep.

Vincent stayed awake to watch, stroking his human fingers through the other's hair and trying not to think of the injuries which they had both suffered, trying instead to focus on the positives, what had been achieved. Sephiroth's dreams were filled with ideas for the future, of the life they would live together and how happy they could be. There were no nightmares, not now, not when Vincent was there to offer security and comfort.

As the early rays of morning light filtered into their tent, Sephiroth's eyes opened and he stared up at Vincent. Vincent looked back at him.
"See, I'm still here." Sephiroth nodded, comforted and reassured, pulling the other closer and wrapping his arms around his shoulders.
"Good morning Vincent!" Vincent ruffled his hair. The two of them laid together for a few moments, resting and just enjoying each other's company, in a safe silence which needed no words to express.

Then the doctor returned. He frowned slightly, this was wrong. The two of them weren't meant to be close. Sephiroth had been trained not to need anyone; he shouldn't care, not even one person, certainly not for someone who was barely human, an experiment. He pulled them apart and Vincent relinquished his hold. The scientist shook the boy viciously, yelling at him.
"You can't love anyone! You can't have friends, and you can't hold someone like that! It's wrong!" He slapped him hard, shaking him again. "I am trying to help you, to make you perfect. If it wasn't for him you wouldn't have been hurt yesterday!" Sephiroth whimpered and nodded, feeling weak and afraid. He didn't know what else he could do. Hojo was right of course, Hojo was always right. He shouldn't be doing that.

Hojo dragged Sephiroth from the room, and later Vincent was bundled back into the coffin. He was taken back to Niebelheim on the first transport, and stayed locked in their for the next thirteen years, whilst Sephiroth grew up alone to become ShinRa's silver general, the world's hero.