Feelings

When Lilah woke up, it was almost noon, and an arm held her strongly around her waist. The first thing she saw was Vincent's face. He was still asleep. She moved a couple of bangs away from his face and kissed his lips, but he didn't wake up. Lilah got up, and decided to take a shower. Last night had been wonderful, but it was over now. It was time to get back to reality.

Vincent woke up, and found himself alone in the bed. He looked around and saw his clothes spread all around the place, and couldn't help to smile lightly. He got up, collected his belongings, and got dressed. He was sitting in the bed, putting his shoes on when Lilah came out of the bathroom. She was wearing only a towel.

"Good morning, sleepy head." She said.

"Good morning."

She sat down in the bed and started to dry her hair with another towel.

"I think I should be going now." He said.

"Yeah, I think you should."

Then, there was an awkward silence.

"Lilah… I."

"You don't need to say it, Vincent. I know, we had a great time last night, and I think, well, we're both adults, right? There's nothing to explain."

"… Right." He said, although that wasn't what he wanted to say, and felt a little disappointed. He took his coat and left.

Lilah dropped the towel she was holding and started to cry. Her dream night was over, there was no use in asking Vincent to stay. How long could they keep a relationship? She was doomed to see everyone age and die. These new feelings she had been developing for him were complicating everything, and the best choice was to be just friends. She knew it was going to be hard, but she saw no other option.

Meanwhile, Vincent was still feeling a little confused. He walked some blocks thinking about Lilah and what had just happened, but couldn't find an explanation to her behavior. Without noticing, he found himself in front of Tifa's Seventh Heaven. It was almost 1PM, and Tifa was opening the bar.

"Vincent! Wow! You look like you just slept in that coffin again, what happened?" Tifa said .

"…I need a coffee."

"Come in."

Both entered, Tifa made Vincent a coffee and he sat at the bar.

"There you go!"

"Thanks, Tifa."

"So… what happened?"

"What makes you think something happened?"

"Well, it's been ages since the last time I saw you brooding like this."

Vincent sighed and drank some coffee.

"It's about Lilah, right?

"…"

"She likes you, I've noticed. And I know you like her too."

"I thought she did. I guess I was wrong."

"No! I know she does!"

"I don't think so."

"She does! All you have to do is to be honest with her."

"I am honest with her."

"Completely honest?"

"… There are some things I haven't told her, but I've never lied to her. Besides, Tifa, how much would it last? This is worthless."

"I'm sure there are a lot of things she needs to tell you. Everything would be different if you were honest with each other."

In that moment, someone opened the door of the bar.

"Hi, Tifa, sorry for being… late." It was Lilah. She seemed quite stunned when she realized Vincent was there. He didn't turned around, and drank the rest of his coffee.

"Hi, Lilah. I guess Yuffie didn't give you my message last night. I asked her to tell you that you didn't have to come until 7PM." Tifa said.

"Last night Yuffie was drunk." Lilah said , recovering from the surprise. Then, she left her bag behind the bar. "Hey, Vincent!" He just looked at her.

"Well, since you are already here… I have some business to attend to, you can stay here." Tifa said before quickly entered the house. Lilah started to arrange the chairs, and then cleaned the tables.

"Are you done with that coffee?" She asked.

"... Yes."

Lilah picked up Vincent's cup and washed it. He just looked every move she made. She was starting to feel uncomfortable about that.

"Vincent…" She turned around and leaned over the bar, towards him, "Last night I was carried away, I'm sorry… I like you very much, I must admit, but… I don't know, I can't…"

"I am not asking any explanation." He interrupted her.

"… Right, I just felt like I had to tell you this."

"You told me this morning, there's no need to explain anything."

"Yeah, you're right… sorry. But, we're still friends, aren't we?"

"…Sure." He said, not very enthusiastic.

Just then, Yuffie entered the place.

"Ohhhh!!!!! My head!!!" She shouted. "What's my ride doing out here?… I thought it had been stolen!"

"You don't remember? You lent it to me last night!" , Lilah said, amused.

"Ohhh! …right!" Yuffie plunge herself into a chair. She was still wearing her red kimono, but now it looked dirty and messy.

Vincent stood up, left some gil over the bar, for the coffee, and left without saying goodbye.

"What's up with him?" Yuffie asked , now sitting at the bar.

"I don't know." Lilah said , and pretended that nothing had happened.

"You know… I was pretty drunk last night, but I do remember that you two left together."

"Yeah, you were so drunk. You shouldn't drink that much!" Lilah said , trying to change the subject.

"Hey! This is not about me being drunk! It's about what you did to our Vince!"

Lilah stopped and sighed.

"So, that's it! Something happened, right?" Yuffie exclaimed, jumping from her seat, apparently forgetting that she had hangover.

"And what if something happened?"

"I knew it! Tell me, tell me! Oh! You two look so right together!"

"Hey, wait!" Said Lilah, facing Yuffie. She seemed very serious. "It just happened, past tense, you get it? There's nothing going on between Vincent and me now."

"Oh, you did it!!" Yuffie shouted.

"Low your voice, Yuffie, please!" Lilah couldn't help to smile a little bit because of Yuffie's reaction. It seemed that she was very excited about her friend's little affair, but suddenly her face went very serious.

"Lilah… Vincent has gone through very difficult times; his life has been so unfair! I think he deserves a chance."

"I told you, there is nothing going on between us anymore. That was it!"

"But… Why? I just don't get it!"

"I… I can't, I mean, no! It's impossible!"

"Are you married or what?!"

"No! I'm not married! It's just that… Well, it's a story I'm not going to tell you now."

"Oh… Anyway, just don't break Vince's heart, OK? I don't think he can get over it again."

"Again? What do you mean?" Lilah seemed to be interested about Vincent's past, but Yuffie started to complain about her headache again.

"Ouch!... My head! I think I'll take a nap in Marlene's room. I'm not telling you Vince's story today!" Yuffie entered the house, and Lilah could see that Tifa was standing at the door, behind her.

"Lilah… You're doing all wrong." She said and left her alone.