OIP! LEMON WARNING. YAOI LEMON WARNING (yummies, ne?) Yeah, its probably jsut what everyone's been waiting for, but You've been warned. And since the whole chappie kinda revolves around it, I'm not going to bother summarizing it. If you can't take it, don't read it and just pick up in the next chap. I'm sure you can catch up. :)
That said... yay, the moment we've all been waiting for. (sorta)
Chapter 10 "...How does it feel… Living for yourself and not someone else?"
Cid sat in silence, thinking about what Vincent had said to him. Was it real? Sometimes, Cid wondered. But at the moment, he didn't care. All he cared about was the bundle of broken man wrapped securely in his arms, snuggled against his chest. It broke Cid's heart, and he shared Vincent's grief: a tight ache that stretched from his heart all the way up his throat into his burning eyes. He couldn't help but feel angry, but even hot tempered Cid Highwind knew it was no longer worth the trouble to be angry. Still, had he known then what he does now, as the cliché goes, he and his Venus Gospel would have shown Hojo a thing or two he probably didn't know about rape. The sleazy old man got off easy, in Cid's opinion, with an untimely and sticky death.
Cid let his eyes wander down Vincent's pale back, tracing every line from the thin ridge of his spine to the riddles of scars, both from Chaos and Hojo, and also from battle. There was one that looked alarmingly to Cid like it had been caused by Vincent's own prosthetic claw, raking in four pale lines over his right ribs. He had to drag his eyes away from those as his mind began to fill in all the ways it could have happened… He had to change things for Vincent.
"Hey Vin…?" Vincent looked up, eyes glassy and red, into Cid's face. Vincent was a wreck, but Cid knew he likely didn't look any better. He gently pushed Vincent back to lay flat on the bed. "I want to try something…" Vincent looked suddenly scared. His arms were crossed over his chest as if to hide it, and he seemed to shrink. Cid gently pulled his arms away to his sides, holding them with a feather-light touch. He would /not/ hurt Vincent. Not tonight, not ever.
"Cid…" Vincent squirmed a little under his grip, but didn't pull away, though it would have been extremely easy for him to do so.
"I won't hurt you, I /promise/. Just let me try. One word, and I'll stop, but can you at least try to trust me?" He paused, thinking, and added, "I won't blame you if you don't, though. Not one bit." Vincent swallowed, nodding, and relaxing a little, clamping his eyes shut as Cid leaned over him carefully. "Vin." Vincent opened his eyes again. "Don't close your eyes. Burn those memories out of your mind with new ones, Vin." He kissed Vincent, delicate, tingling butterfly kisses that left Vincent's lips trembling and mutely working against the slight pressure, gasping. Cid never broke eye contact.
Moving carefully, Cid let his kisses travel downward, along Vincent's narrow jaw and the side of his neck, gathering more breathy gasps. Cid dropped several inches to kiss Vincent's chest, and the man jumped lightly, startled. The kisses were wonderful, but good kiss or not, Vincent was still feeling apprehensive as to what Cid was going to do to him. He didn't know, but he was afraid to argue. Cid continued downwards, heading south.
Vincent let out a startled yelp as Cid carefully began to pull off his pajama pants. Cid froze, looking up into Vincent's flushed face and wide eyes worriedly.
"Cid…what're…?" Cid paused where he was, fingers lightly hooked under the elastic waistband.
"Trust me, Vin…" He said softly. "Just say no, but please, give me a chance." Vincent nodded again, and Cid carefully peeled the pajamas off, depositing them lightly on the floor beside the bed.
He stopped for a moment, letting time stand still as he gazed down on Vincent's pale body, pure and naked before him. He smiled lovingly down at Vincent, reaching down and pulling him up by the wrists into a sitting position, feet hanging over the edge, and hugged him tenderly.
"I love you Vincent." He kissed Vincent's ear through his thick hair, not failing to notice Vincent's growing erection pushing lightly against his bare abdomen. The sensation made Cid's nerves tingle and his blood boil. He shivered lightly, pulling away. He shot one last loving smile into Vincent's eyes, and slowly sank to his knees.
Vincent watched with a mixed look of interest and fear as Cid bowed his head, carefully taking Vincent into his mouth. Vincent let out a low moan, fingers digging into the pale sheets gathered around him.
Cid was about as inexperienced as they came, having never allowed himself a real relationship, but he knew how these things worked (he had gone to school, after all, and though his teachers had tired their best, it wasn't the things he learned in the classroom, but from his piers, that he remembered) and Vincent's moaning was testimony enough to that. Cid gave his best, gently working until Vincent began to thrust lightly into his steady motions. Pausing, he pulled back, and stood to sit beside a notably disappointed-looking Vincent. He hugged Vincent to him, rolling back so that Vincent was pulled on top of him, causing Vincent to let out a small yelp of surprise. Cid smiled up at Vincent as he regained his balance, inadvertently straddling Cid's hips, arms locked over his shoulders to keep balance.
"Cid…?" Vincent was breathing raggedly, chest heaving, eyes glazed. Cid smiled.
"This is your show, Vin." He said softly. Vincent looked even more confused. "You've never had a chance in your life… now you do. I'm all yours, Vin." Cid said, face drawn in a kind of heart-shattering bitter-sweetness. Vincent realized what he meant a moment belatedly, and it made his heart stop for a few moments.
"Cid…But it'll…"
"Shh. This is for you. If I wasn't willing, I wouldn't have offered." Vincent swallowed, uncertain. He wanted it. Bad. But in no way did he want to hurt Cid. Not after all the man had done for him. Cid was watching him intently, breath bated. "C'mon, Vin. Let those memories go." Cid saw a spark in Vincent's eyes, and relaxed. Decided, Vincent moved in slow motion, slowly peeling Cid's pants off fully this time, eyes wide and alert, taking in everything. Cid watched Vincent's face: flushed, eyes heated and full of excitement and wonder. Cid was scared too, but only slightly. Watching Vincent move over him so carefully was entrancing for Cid, and his fears fluttered in his chest absently beside his heart. Vincent brought his human hand to Cid's lips, smiling.
"Are you sure, Cid?" He asked once more. Cid answered by parting his lips with a smile, first licking then sucking at Vincent's fingers. Vincent shivered, the motions reminding him of Cid's previous attentions.
Vincent used the back of his metal arm to carefully spread Cid's legs, the coolness of the metal causing Cid to shiver lightly. Vincent withdrew his fingers from Cid's lips, reaching far lower and inserting one then a second finger into Cid.
Cid gasped. It was a strange and unnatural sensation, and it stung lightly. He swallowed, panting as Vincent waited for him to relax.
"Are you okay?" Vincent asked, voice soft, but husky now. Cid grinned.
"Well what th' fuck you wait'in for?" He asked smiling crookedly up at his lover. Vincent didn't wait. Cid gasped, almost crying out for fear of being torn in two from the inside out. Vincent's eyes lost their lusty glaze as Cid winced in pain.
"Cid!"
"I'm fine…Vince!" Cid gritted out, but Vincent had paused halfway into him. Cid knew it would get worse before it got better, and was eager to get the first over and move onto the latter. He locked eyes with Vincent, relaxing every muscle in his body before thrusting upwards, forcing Vincent fully into him with a soft cry. Vincent gave a startled cry, falling foreword onto Cid's chest. Cid froze, hips thrust against Vincent's, panting. "Damn…" He muttered, then reached up, kissing Vincent. "…I love you..." Vincent was trembling, forcing himself to stay calm, the feeling of being inside of Cid like nothing he'd ever felt before. He moved slowly, testing, and felt the tension in Cid's body change as they began to move together.
Their lovemaking was long and slow, carefully tender with every movement. Finally coming together, they collapsed into a heap of tangled limbs, panting lightly. Vincent could hear Cid's heart hammering from where his head rested on his chest. He hadn't moved more than to pull out and flop weakly onto Cid, still pinned beneath him, and as they relaxed, he was quite happy to stay there.
Vincent only moved when he felt Cid's chest hitch awkwardly under him, and he lifted his head, looking up sharply.
Cid was sobbing, grinning his fool ass off, but sobbing, blue eyes sparkling in the golden light of his lamp, making them glitter like perfectly cut sapphires. The mixed signals worried and confused Vincent terribly.
"…Cid?!" His voice cracked lightly with his exhaustion, but it didn't stop him from being concerned. Cid's smile broadened.
"I'm okay, Vin. I am, don't worry." He choked, white teeth sparkling as he flashed a grin.
"You're crying."
"Yeah, I do that sometimes…hate to fuckin' admit it, but I do." Vincent shook his head, rolling off of him to snuggle up into his side.
"Did I hurt you?" Cid was quiet a little too long.
"Nah." He'd be sore in the morning, though.
"Are you sure, Cid?"
"Positive." Come to think of it, he was pretty sore right now.
"O-okay…" But he'd be damned if he didn't love every moment of what they'd just done. Vincent smiled as if to reward him once more. "Thank you, Cid."
"Any time. Really!" He grinned crookedly, eyes twinkling. Vincent laughed, relaxing.
"You're just horny."
"Yeah, and your point?" Vincent laughed, shaking his head. Cid laughed with him, and added, "Not just now, though…" Vincent laughed again, then abruptly dropped his head into Cid's shoulder.
"I'm exhausted…" He murmured, voice muffled against the broad bicep he'd crushed his face against. Cid chuckled.
"You should be, you drilled me for a fucking half hour!" Vincent cringed at the indelicate way he'd stated an obvious fact. Cid hugged him close, curving his body against Vincent's. Bare skin touched bare skin all down their bodies, but it was soothing to Cid now, making him melt into the clear blue of his joy. "You know, Vin… I never imagined someone could make me so happy…" He said dreamily.
"I never even bothered to hope…" Vincent answered.
"…Do you regret what happened tonight?" Cid asked cautiously.
"Not a bit. I'm sorry it was as hard as it was." Vincent said tenderly. "You were right. Hojo can't hurt me anymore… I've have you to protect me now…" Cid's heart nearly exploded. Tears gushed from his eyes without ever asking permission, and a small half-choked sob escaped his lips.
"Damn straight, I'll protect ya!" He said, wiping his eyes with the edge of a pillowcase.
"Well, thank you Cid."
"Any time."
"Haven't we been here already?"
"Proves I mean it." Cid said, winking. His smile was broken by a long, loud yawn. "Lets rest up, okay? Its late even for a midnight romp." He suggested, heaving a tired sigh. Vincent nodded into his shoulder, agreeing.
"Good night, Cid."
"G'nigh…" Cid had already started to trail off into sleep. Vincent stayed awake, watching his face go lax into a cherubim smile that Vincent was certain only he had ever seen. He stared for a long time, taking in Cid's ever feature, noticing a number of small, but severe scars here and there across his arms and torso. He'd obviously lived it rough to make his dreams come true. It made Vincent feel a little better at his own imperfections.
Finally, Vincent managed to wiggle a blanket out from under their bodies -it was freezing and he was beginning to loose the heat from their lovemaking- and draped it carefully over himself and Cid, reaching up and turning out the lone light.
It was not the first time Vincent had woken up in bed beside Cid Highwind, but it still startled him at first. He had momentarily forgotten their night, and felt a fleeting second of sheer terror before he suddenly calmed again, nearly laughing at his fear. Cid slept soundly, sprawled out and taking up three quarters of the small bed all to himself, leaving Vincent little else. Vincent didn't mind though, he was content to stay curled against Cid, warm and soft and tender even as he snored lightly. Vincent graced Cid by taking the tip of a blanket and carefully wiping away a small trail of drool, laughing silently to himself and shaking his head in wonder. I hope I don't do that when I sleep…He thought bemusedly. Vincent noticed immediately that he was in an extremely good mood, feeling better than he had in decades. Was it just the sex, or part of your magic, Cid?He thought, smiling down on the snoozing blonde. He bent down, kissing the top of Cid's head gently.
Blue eyes fluttered open at the gentle touch, and Cid smiled hazily up at Vincent.
"Mm…Mornin', Gorgeous…" He said softly, reaching out to hug Vincent back to his side. Vincent smiled. Of all the wonderful things to wake up to…
"Cid…" Vincent felt he should say something. "Thank you."
"Stop thankin' me, goddamnit! Vin, I love ya! You don't need to thank me, or do anything else for that matter! Shit, you haven't kicked me out, sent me home, and that's good enough for me." Vincent sighed, kissing Cid's head. Cid melted at that barest gesture. But Vincent /wanted/ to thank him, a million times over, with everything he had and more.
Vincent had never felt so free and secure in his life, than he did this very morning, smiling down on someone he never before imagined he would love. …Love?…Well, why not? Cid loved him, and despite his rough exterior, it was hard not to fall for some of his more hidden charms. Cid had graced Vincent with a glorious view of a different, more true side of himself. He kissed Cid again, waking him fully.
"Come on, Cid. Wake up. Lets go out for breakfast today." He said quietly. Cid smiled dreamily.
"Sure thing… my treat, though, okay?" Vincent sighed.
"Dutch date?" Cid's face lit up.
"A date??" He asked eagerly, only half teasingly. Vincent grinned gently.
"Sure."
"Really!?"
"Highwind, we make love after years of celibacy, and you're excited over a date?" Vincent demanded. Cid blushed, grinning weakly.
"Well…" He began. Vincent laughed, making Cid's eyes light up about it.
"That's alright," Vincent said, stopping him. "Lets just get cleaned up and we'll call it a date."
Cid felt even more elated as Vincent suggested breakfast. He kissed Vincent excitedly, then went to dive out of bed.
And instantly slowed to a careful crawl as the pain in his lower back caught up with him. Grunting, he carefully eased out of bed, trying not to look like he was in too much pain. Vincent was watching him sorrily. Cid shot him back a lopsided grin, shrugging. 'Are you okay?' was written all over Vincent's face, and Cid smiled more sincerely.
"Nuthin' a nice hot shower won't fix!" He declared, and hobbled off to his bathroom, whistling. Vincent smiled wistfully after Cid, buck-naked and limping, but still smiling like always. He was sorry that Cid was sore, especially when he felt better than he had in three decades, but Cid's overpowering bright lookout kept him cheered. Grinning, he slipped out of the room to his own to clean up himself, blushing as he gathered his discarded pajamas from the floor.
Reaching his room, Vincent smiled as he heard Cid's whistling fade with the sound of the water running, the cheerful tune shortly replaced with song, deeper than Cid's natural voice, and slightly off key.
AN: Yeah...this was great. :) A little awkward, as I had to restrain myself in my creativity w/ the lemon . hehe (dirty mind) I'm hoping it still weasled under the R rating, and didn't go higher. lol. (it wasn't that bad, though, right?) Oh well! What can they do?! lol :) THERE WAS PLOT....sorta. lol Anyhow... yes, this is going somewhere! (YAY! I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING NOW!)
I'm totally stuck on New Life cries So I'm gunna work on this one until I can think of something for it. sigh Don't worry, though, I won't let it die.
Yeah, this was beautiful, though... I was actually listening to the FFVII soundtrack (ITS GREAT!!) while writing it, and most specifically "A Dream of Being Sent Into the Universe" (Cid sends the rocket up) "A Secret, Sleeping in the Deep Sea" (traveling in the submarine) The second especially (otherwise, I had it on loop.) If you don't know either of these, go and find them on Midi at least (they're everywhere) They fit the fic really well. Listen as you read or something. :) (they're both on disk 4 if it helps)
Hope you like. (YAY! ITS GUNNA GET HAPPY!!!!!!!! cheers!)
That said... yay, the moment we've all been waiting for. (sorta)
Chapter 10 "...How does it feel… Living for yourself and not someone else?"
Cid sat in silence, thinking about what Vincent had said to him. Was it real? Sometimes, Cid wondered. But at the moment, he didn't care. All he cared about was the bundle of broken man wrapped securely in his arms, snuggled against his chest. It broke Cid's heart, and he shared Vincent's grief: a tight ache that stretched from his heart all the way up his throat into his burning eyes. He couldn't help but feel angry, but even hot tempered Cid Highwind knew it was no longer worth the trouble to be angry. Still, had he known then what he does now, as the cliché goes, he and his Venus Gospel would have shown Hojo a thing or two he probably didn't know about rape. The sleazy old man got off easy, in Cid's opinion, with an untimely and sticky death.
Cid let his eyes wander down Vincent's pale back, tracing every line from the thin ridge of his spine to the riddles of scars, both from Chaos and Hojo, and also from battle. There was one that looked alarmingly to Cid like it had been caused by Vincent's own prosthetic claw, raking in four pale lines over his right ribs. He had to drag his eyes away from those as his mind began to fill in all the ways it could have happened… He had to change things for Vincent.
"Hey Vin…?" Vincent looked up, eyes glassy and red, into Cid's face. Vincent was a wreck, but Cid knew he likely didn't look any better. He gently pushed Vincent back to lay flat on the bed. "I want to try something…" Vincent looked suddenly scared. His arms were crossed over his chest as if to hide it, and he seemed to shrink. Cid gently pulled his arms away to his sides, holding them with a feather-light touch. He would /not/ hurt Vincent. Not tonight, not ever.
"Cid…" Vincent squirmed a little under his grip, but didn't pull away, though it would have been extremely easy for him to do so.
"I won't hurt you, I /promise/. Just let me try. One word, and I'll stop, but can you at least try to trust me?" He paused, thinking, and added, "I won't blame you if you don't, though. Not one bit." Vincent swallowed, nodding, and relaxing a little, clamping his eyes shut as Cid leaned over him carefully. "Vin." Vincent opened his eyes again. "Don't close your eyes. Burn those memories out of your mind with new ones, Vin." He kissed Vincent, delicate, tingling butterfly kisses that left Vincent's lips trembling and mutely working against the slight pressure, gasping. Cid never broke eye contact.
Moving carefully, Cid let his kisses travel downward, along Vincent's narrow jaw and the side of his neck, gathering more breathy gasps. Cid dropped several inches to kiss Vincent's chest, and the man jumped lightly, startled. The kisses were wonderful, but good kiss or not, Vincent was still feeling apprehensive as to what Cid was going to do to him. He didn't know, but he was afraid to argue. Cid continued downwards, heading south.
Vincent let out a startled yelp as Cid carefully began to pull off his pajama pants. Cid froze, looking up into Vincent's flushed face and wide eyes worriedly.
"Cid…what're…?" Cid paused where he was, fingers lightly hooked under the elastic waistband.
"Trust me, Vin…" He said softly. "Just say no, but please, give me a chance." Vincent nodded again, and Cid carefully peeled the pajamas off, depositing them lightly on the floor beside the bed.
He stopped for a moment, letting time stand still as he gazed down on Vincent's pale body, pure and naked before him. He smiled lovingly down at Vincent, reaching down and pulling him up by the wrists into a sitting position, feet hanging over the edge, and hugged him tenderly.
"I love you Vincent." He kissed Vincent's ear through his thick hair, not failing to notice Vincent's growing erection pushing lightly against his bare abdomen. The sensation made Cid's nerves tingle and his blood boil. He shivered lightly, pulling away. He shot one last loving smile into Vincent's eyes, and slowly sank to his knees.
Vincent watched with a mixed look of interest and fear as Cid bowed his head, carefully taking Vincent into his mouth. Vincent let out a low moan, fingers digging into the pale sheets gathered around him.
Cid was about as inexperienced as they came, having never allowed himself a real relationship, but he knew how these things worked (he had gone to school, after all, and though his teachers had tired their best, it wasn't the things he learned in the classroom, but from his piers, that he remembered) and Vincent's moaning was testimony enough to that. Cid gave his best, gently working until Vincent began to thrust lightly into his steady motions. Pausing, he pulled back, and stood to sit beside a notably disappointed-looking Vincent. He hugged Vincent to him, rolling back so that Vincent was pulled on top of him, causing Vincent to let out a small yelp of surprise. Cid smiled up at Vincent as he regained his balance, inadvertently straddling Cid's hips, arms locked over his shoulders to keep balance.
"Cid…?" Vincent was breathing raggedly, chest heaving, eyes glazed. Cid smiled.
"This is your show, Vin." He said softly. Vincent looked even more confused. "You've never had a chance in your life… now you do. I'm all yours, Vin." Cid said, face drawn in a kind of heart-shattering bitter-sweetness. Vincent realized what he meant a moment belatedly, and it made his heart stop for a few moments.
"Cid…But it'll…"
"Shh. This is for you. If I wasn't willing, I wouldn't have offered." Vincent swallowed, uncertain. He wanted it. Bad. But in no way did he want to hurt Cid. Not after all the man had done for him. Cid was watching him intently, breath bated. "C'mon, Vin. Let those memories go." Cid saw a spark in Vincent's eyes, and relaxed. Decided, Vincent moved in slow motion, slowly peeling Cid's pants off fully this time, eyes wide and alert, taking in everything. Cid watched Vincent's face: flushed, eyes heated and full of excitement and wonder. Cid was scared too, but only slightly. Watching Vincent move over him so carefully was entrancing for Cid, and his fears fluttered in his chest absently beside his heart. Vincent brought his human hand to Cid's lips, smiling.
"Are you sure, Cid?" He asked once more. Cid answered by parting his lips with a smile, first licking then sucking at Vincent's fingers. Vincent shivered, the motions reminding him of Cid's previous attentions.
Vincent used the back of his metal arm to carefully spread Cid's legs, the coolness of the metal causing Cid to shiver lightly. Vincent withdrew his fingers from Cid's lips, reaching far lower and inserting one then a second finger into Cid.
Cid gasped. It was a strange and unnatural sensation, and it stung lightly. He swallowed, panting as Vincent waited for him to relax.
"Are you okay?" Vincent asked, voice soft, but husky now. Cid grinned.
"Well what th' fuck you wait'in for?" He asked smiling crookedly up at his lover. Vincent didn't wait. Cid gasped, almost crying out for fear of being torn in two from the inside out. Vincent's eyes lost their lusty glaze as Cid winced in pain.
"Cid!"
"I'm fine…Vince!" Cid gritted out, but Vincent had paused halfway into him. Cid knew it would get worse before it got better, and was eager to get the first over and move onto the latter. He locked eyes with Vincent, relaxing every muscle in his body before thrusting upwards, forcing Vincent fully into him with a soft cry. Vincent gave a startled cry, falling foreword onto Cid's chest. Cid froze, hips thrust against Vincent's, panting. "Damn…" He muttered, then reached up, kissing Vincent. "…I love you..." Vincent was trembling, forcing himself to stay calm, the feeling of being inside of Cid like nothing he'd ever felt before. He moved slowly, testing, and felt the tension in Cid's body change as they began to move together.
Their lovemaking was long and slow, carefully tender with every movement. Finally coming together, they collapsed into a heap of tangled limbs, panting lightly. Vincent could hear Cid's heart hammering from where his head rested on his chest. He hadn't moved more than to pull out and flop weakly onto Cid, still pinned beneath him, and as they relaxed, he was quite happy to stay there.
Vincent only moved when he felt Cid's chest hitch awkwardly under him, and he lifted his head, looking up sharply.
Cid was sobbing, grinning his fool ass off, but sobbing, blue eyes sparkling in the golden light of his lamp, making them glitter like perfectly cut sapphires. The mixed signals worried and confused Vincent terribly.
"…Cid?!" His voice cracked lightly with his exhaustion, but it didn't stop him from being concerned. Cid's smile broadened.
"I'm okay, Vin. I am, don't worry." He choked, white teeth sparkling as he flashed a grin.
"You're crying."
"Yeah, I do that sometimes…hate to fuckin' admit it, but I do." Vincent shook his head, rolling off of him to snuggle up into his side.
"Did I hurt you?" Cid was quiet a little too long.
"Nah." He'd be sore in the morning, though.
"Are you sure, Cid?"
"Positive." Come to think of it, he was pretty sore right now.
"O-okay…" But he'd be damned if he didn't love every moment of what they'd just done. Vincent smiled as if to reward him once more. "Thank you, Cid."
"Any time. Really!" He grinned crookedly, eyes twinkling. Vincent laughed, relaxing.
"You're just horny."
"Yeah, and your point?" Vincent laughed, shaking his head. Cid laughed with him, and added, "Not just now, though…" Vincent laughed again, then abruptly dropped his head into Cid's shoulder.
"I'm exhausted…" He murmured, voice muffled against the broad bicep he'd crushed his face against. Cid chuckled.
"You should be, you drilled me for a fucking half hour!" Vincent cringed at the indelicate way he'd stated an obvious fact. Cid hugged him close, curving his body against Vincent's. Bare skin touched bare skin all down their bodies, but it was soothing to Cid now, making him melt into the clear blue of his joy. "You know, Vin… I never imagined someone could make me so happy…" He said dreamily.
"I never even bothered to hope…" Vincent answered.
"…Do you regret what happened tonight?" Cid asked cautiously.
"Not a bit. I'm sorry it was as hard as it was." Vincent said tenderly. "You were right. Hojo can't hurt me anymore… I've have you to protect me now…" Cid's heart nearly exploded. Tears gushed from his eyes without ever asking permission, and a small half-choked sob escaped his lips.
"Damn straight, I'll protect ya!" He said, wiping his eyes with the edge of a pillowcase.
"Well, thank you Cid."
"Any time."
"Haven't we been here already?"
"Proves I mean it." Cid said, winking. His smile was broken by a long, loud yawn. "Lets rest up, okay? Its late even for a midnight romp." He suggested, heaving a tired sigh. Vincent nodded into his shoulder, agreeing.
"Good night, Cid."
"G'nigh…" Cid had already started to trail off into sleep. Vincent stayed awake, watching his face go lax into a cherubim smile that Vincent was certain only he had ever seen. He stared for a long time, taking in Cid's ever feature, noticing a number of small, but severe scars here and there across his arms and torso. He'd obviously lived it rough to make his dreams come true. It made Vincent feel a little better at his own imperfections.
Finally, Vincent managed to wiggle a blanket out from under their bodies -it was freezing and he was beginning to loose the heat from their lovemaking- and draped it carefully over himself and Cid, reaching up and turning out the lone light.
It was not the first time Vincent had woken up in bed beside Cid Highwind, but it still startled him at first. He had momentarily forgotten their night, and felt a fleeting second of sheer terror before he suddenly calmed again, nearly laughing at his fear. Cid slept soundly, sprawled out and taking up three quarters of the small bed all to himself, leaving Vincent little else. Vincent didn't mind though, he was content to stay curled against Cid, warm and soft and tender even as he snored lightly. Vincent graced Cid by taking the tip of a blanket and carefully wiping away a small trail of drool, laughing silently to himself and shaking his head in wonder. I hope I don't do that when I sleep…He thought bemusedly. Vincent noticed immediately that he was in an extremely good mood, feeling better than he had in decades. Was it just the sex, or part of your magic, Cid?He thought, smiling down on the snoozing blonde. He bent down, kissing the top of Cid's head gently.
Blue eyes fluttered open at the gentle touch, and Cid smiled hazily up at Vincent.
"Mm…Mornin', Gorgeous…" He said softly, reaching out to hug Vincent back to his side. Vincent smiled. Of all the wonderful things to wake up to…
"Cid…" Vincent felt he should say something. "Thank you."
"Stop thankin' me, goddamnit! Vin, I love ya! You don't need to thank me, or do anything else for that matter! Shit, you haven't kicked me out, sent me home, and that's good enough for me." Vincent sighed, kissing Cid's head. Cid melted at that barest gesture. But Vincent /wanted/ to thank him, a million times over, with everything he had and more.
Vincent had never felt so free and secure in his life, than he did this very morning, smiling down on someone he never before imagined he would love. …Love?…Well, why not? Cid loved him, and despite his rough exterior, it was hard not to fall for some of his more hidden charms. Cid had graced Vincent with a glorious view of a different, more true side of himself. He kissed Cid again, waking him fully.
"Come on, Cid. Wake up. Lets go out for breakfast today." He said quietly. Cid smiled dreamily.
"Sure thing… my treat, though, okay?" Vincent sighed.
"Dutch date?" Cid's face lit up.
"A date??" He asked eagerly, only half teasingly. Vincent grinned gently.
"Sure."
"Really!?"
"Highwind, we make love after years of celibacy, and you're excited over a date?" Vincent demanded. Cid blushed, grinning weakly.
"Well…" He began. Vincent laughed, making Cid's eyes light up about it.
"That's alright," Vincent said, stopping him. "Lets just get cleaned up and we'll call it a date."
Cid felt even more elated as Vincent suggested breakfast. He kissed Vincent excitedly, then went to dive out of bed.
And instantly slowed to a careful crawl as the pain in his lower back caught up with him. Grunting, he carefully eased out of bed, trying not to look like he was in too much pain. Vincent was watching him sorrily. Cid shot him back a lopsided grin, shrugging. 'Are you okay?' was written all over Vincent's face, and Cid smiled more sincerely.
"Nuthin' a nice hot shower won't fix!" He declared, and hobbled off to his bathroom, whistling. Vincent smiled wistfully after Cid, buck-naked and limping, but still smiling like always. He was sorry that Cid was sore, especially when he felt better than he had in three decades, but Cid's overpowering bright lookout kept him cheered. Grinning, he slipped out of the room to his own to clean up himself, blushing as he gathered his discarded pajamas from the floor.
Reaching his room, Vincent smiled as he heard Cid's whistling fade with the sound of the water running, the cheerful tune shortly replaced with song, deeper than Cid's natural voice, and slightly off key.
AN: Yeah...this was great. :) A little awkward, as I had to restrain myself in my creativity w/ the lemon . hehe (dirty mind) I'm hoping it still weasled under the R rating, and didn't go higher. lol. (it wasn't that bad, though, right?) Oh well! What can they do?! lol :) THERE WAS PLOT....sorta. lol Anyhow... yes, this is going somewhere! (YAY! I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING NOW!)
I'm totally stuck on New Life cries So I'm gunna work on this one until I can think of something for it. sigh Don't worry, though, I won't let it die.
Yeah, this was beautiful, though... I was actually listening to the FFVII soundtrack (ITS GREAT!!) while writing it, and most specifically "A Dream of Being Sent Into the Universe" (Cid sends the rocket up) "A Secret, Sleeping in the Deep Sea" (traveling in the submarine) The second especially (otherwise, I had it on loop.) If you don't know either of these, go and find them on Midi at least (they're everywhere) They fit the fic really well. Listen as you read or something. :) (they're both on disk 4 if it helps)
Hope you like. (YAY! ITS GUNNA GET HAPPY!!!!!!!! cheers!)