Darkening Abyss Ch 10

*hugs all around* Freaking love you all for reviewing, faving, reading, alerting and the works! Thanks so much for sticking with me and this entire fic. Now here's a very nice chunky chapter for your reading pleasure! I had tons of fun writing it as you probably will find out hahaha. What a great way to start off the new year!

Enjoy!

Tseng lay there in the hospital bed… again. Boy was he tired of being here. No seriously, he really was. Now he knew what Reno had to go through every time he came back from a mission all torn up. Tseng nattered at Reno about being too sloppy and that's why he ended up in the hospital; now it was Tseng's turn to eat his own words. It totally sucked. He was so bored and it didn't help that the doctors strictly ordered him not to do any strenuous movements. So here Tseng lay... on the hospital bed... again. He sighed and closed his eyes, mind reeling back to when they escaped Nibelheim's lab destruction.

The helicopter whirred to life as Vincent started up the metal bird. He had placed Tseng in the back where there was an emergency stretcher and secured the injured Turk before taking off from Nibelheim. On the way back to Edge, Tseng and Vincent conversed over what had occurred. The turn of events was rather shocking and both seemed to have endless thoughts and opinions on the subject.

"You were right about the man in the room being someone from Shinra…" Vincent's voice sounded through the headphones.

"Yes, his body was riddled with machinery. The only parts of him that seemed human were his torso and head. And even those were… Ngh!" Tseng grunted as the helicopter gave a slight jerk, making his body shake a little, jarring the wounds he bore.

"Sorry." Hey this was Vincent's first time piloting after all.

"It's… ok… As I was saying, even those sections were lined with mechanical parts. But it was defiantly someone working for us. What did you find?"

"I found files pertaining to our target: experiment No. 128-X."

"And?"

"It's Dr. Mikami."

"What?!" Tseng was confused. How had they not known of Dr. Mikami's involvement with Hojo's experiments? Wait, that made some sense though. Tseng, being a Turk, knew of practically everyone in Shinra save for the doctor that seemed to pop in overnight a while back. A majority of the doctors at Shinra had been there for a good ten years a the least and Tseng knew every single one so... how did he miss Mikami?

"According to the data I happened to read, Mikami was in his late twenties when he was in this experiment. There is no other given information as to where he came from."

"But how? Mikami seems to still be in his late twenties- surely something was recorded wrong." Tseng's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Tseng, Hojo is never wrong with his recordings." Vincent subconsciously tightened his hands on the steering.

"How did we miss this? How did he get into Shinra?... How did I miss it…" Vincent could hear the small trickles of failure lacing Tseng's voice as he spoke. Of course Tseng would be beating himself up over this incident. Being the head Turk, he wasn't supposed to miss anything.

"You didn't. Shinra was running low on personnel when the reconstruction was going on, he probably got in during then." Vincent felt like he had to say something that would make Tseng feel better. It was hard work to keep track of every single person working under you whilst in the middle of a grand event such as the rebirth of Midgar into Edge. Everything was changing rapidly and it was hard to keep track of all that occurred.

"Do you think that he held an important role in Hojo's survival?" The Wutai Turk couldn't help but ask such a simple question. Of course Mikami played a role in the Professor's survival but he wanted to know Vincent's thoughts on it.

"Yes. Hojo had probably done something to Mikami to make him immune to the aging of time. While searching in the lab, there was a tube in the back that held remnants of the lifestream. How Hojo obtained such is still unknown by me but I do have a theory."

"What is it?"

"Whenever someone dies, the lifestream is quick to take them, leaving no marks behind. Hojo had ample time to kill people and gather the lifestream that routinely came down to gather the dead. He harnessed that power and somehow morphed it into an alchemical elixir."

"So your saying that he is living off the dead?" Tseng felt like his stomach was doing back-flips. The madness of Hojo's schemes seemed to have no end.

"Precicesly."

"But... if he's doing that then how did Zack come back? If we defeat Hojo, does that mean that Zack would be... absorbed back into the lifestream?" Vincent didn't miss the slight change in Tseng's voice when he spoke of Zack's possible departure yet again. Though Tseng was a mighty fine Turk, he still had human emotions and they seemed to make appearances here and there which amused the gunslinger piloting the helicopter.

"Would you miss him?" Vincent bypassed Tseng's question and targeted the other man's momentary weakness.

"You failed to answer my question Vincent." Tseng pursed his lips, trying to get out of the targeting zone. He hadn't meant to say anything like that but... he did.

"I'll answer yours if you answer mine." The crimson eyed warrior's lips gave a slight twitch as he responded to the man laying in the back. Why was he pestering the other so much he wondered? Well, it was what Cloud would do anyways to get information and it always seemed to work so Vincent gave it a shot.

"Fine." Tseng sighed, covering his eyes with his right arm and mumbled out a quiet reply. "Yes..."

"How long have you held these feelings for the boy?" Again, Vincent found it rather amusing to question the pained Turk riding in the back. Why he found it amusing he didn't know. Maybe it was because a flustered Turk made for a happy Vincent.

"That counts as two questions Vincent." Tseng may be weakened by his injuries but his mind was still as sharp as a blade; he wasn't going to let the ex-Turk ensnare him in his trap.

"Understood. Ask me what you will." Vincent gave a small chuckle at Tseng's curt reply.

"Would the lifestream take back what it had lost?"

"Probably. It won't let the dead walk freely amongst the living, it's just not how things were-are- meant to be. That's why we need to stop Hojo before anyone else is chucked out of the lifestream. If the rest of the city begins to catch wind of supposed dead people returning, it would cause a panic and right now, we do not need anything of the sort arising. Mikami is now our main priority since he is directly linked to the Professor."

"Hn… how are we going to get him?"

"The easiest way is to confront him and ask him for help. If he denies, we can always kill him."

"Ever eager for death eh, Valentine?"

"On the contrary, those who are a threat must be eliminated."

"Turk."

"The name's Vincent."

Tseng shook his head, remembering Vincent's deadpanned expression. Hey it was worth a shot right? But alas, Vincent… was Vincent. He did whatever he damn well pleased. Tseng gazed down at his shirtless chest and bandaged wrapped abs. There was no blood seeping from the bandages so that was good, the doctors did a nice job at patching him up. The one doctor he was sort of hoping to see was Dr. Mikami but obviously that didn't happen. If he did, Tseng was sure that the doctor would be lying on the ground knocked out cold, ready for an interrogation that would be hastily set up.

The bedroom door opened, revealing a grinning Zack who gave Tseng a mock salute. "Yo!"

"Hn… you pick that up from Reno?" Tseng couldn't help but smile as Zack's happiness webbed its way throughout the entire room. Time and time again, Tseng beat himself up for not saving Zack sooner, from preventing Hojo from getting his hands on the two best friends. The truly sucky part was when Tseng figured out that they had failed in saving the two; that Zack was dead and Cloud disappeared. When Tseng didn't see the spunky SOILDER moseying around in Shinra, he admitted that it was mighty boring. However, it seemed that with Hojo's tinkering with the lifestream, the continuous circle of life decided to spit out the spiky bundle of joy.

"Meh. You could say that. So, how've you been? I haven't seen you in forever Tseng." Zack pulled up a chair by the Turk's bed. For a skinny Turk, he doesn't have a bad looking body. Quite on the contrary, underneath all that Turk décor, Tseng was well in shape. Zack had decided to pop on in to see his friend after hanging out with Reno in the security room spying on Vincent and Cloud. Reno had directed Zack in the direction of the Turk leader's room and the SOILDER found his feet quickly heading in that direction. Tseng was a huge help to Zack when he was alive back then fighting in SOILDER. Hell if it weren't for Tseng saving Zack's ass a few times, the tall black haired warrior would've been dead much sooner.

"Zack…" Though Turks were never meant to show their emotions, there was just something about Zack that made the elder feel that everything would be alright; so Tseng briefly allowed a small hint of sadness to take form.

"Look, don't give me all that 'I'm sorry' crap. It wasn't your fault. I don't blame you. If anyone's to blame, it's Hojo. And this time, we will make sure he's dead." Determination fluttered across violet orbs as he cracked his knuckles, ready to take down the man that screwed up everything.

Tseng smiled. Over the earlier years when he worked with Zack, he had grown a fondness for the lively youth. He was happy that Zack got a second chance. "I'm glad that the lifestream decided to spit you back out."

"Hey now, I'm not some piece of meat y'know." The SOILDER gave a mock pout. "You could at least be happy to see my ass back here."

"I am happy to see it back here."

Silence.

A very long, uncomfortable silence.

Tseng really did not mean for it to come out that way. But it did. He meant for it to sound like he was happy that Zack was back, but obviously what made sense in his head didn't make sense when he spoke it.

Zack coughed and scratched the back of his head. "Ummm… I… I think I should be going?"

"Yes I do believe that would be best."

"Yeah…" The younger got up and began exiting the room when he turned around to deliver one last piece of information. "Oh that's right… Um before our little… conversation… Rufus gave us a few days off. I'm not sure how many is few but iIm sure he'll call us when he's figured out the game plan. The docs said that you'd be able to get up and move around by then right?"

Tseng nodded his head. "Correct."

"Great, well… I'll stop by tomorrow and provide you entertainment." The door closed and Tseng was left in comfortable silence as his heart beat escalated of its own accord. Holy fuck was that embarrassing.

How the hell did a simple conversation turn into something so sexual? All these sexual innuendos… The dark haired Turk closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep before Rufus summoned them into action. According to the wall clock, it was already eleven pm.

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"How's he doin Zack?" Reno leaned against the outside wall, having already visited his leader earlier after the lead Turk was taken into the recovery room.

"Looks pretty good. The docs stitched him up well." They began walking towards the elevator as Zack's stomach gave a small grumble.

"Someone's hungry… fatass." The red head playfully shoved Zack.

"Hey!"

Laughing as the elevator doors opened, Reno pressed the number that lead to the cafeteria. "You're lucky that this place has food twenty four seven."

"Why aren't you with Rufus?" Zack gave a sly grin, fully knowing what Reno wanted to be doing. The red head was practically simmering with lust.

"That bastard… he locked me out of his room so he could work!" Reno hissed and clenched his fists against his sides.

"Oh poor baby!" The black haired SOILDER preformed a poor example of mother worrying for her child as he squeezed Reno's cheeks.

Reno glared and swatted away Zack's affectionate touches. "Get the hell offa me ya big oaf."

And then, lo en behold, Reno's stomach gave a small grumble.

"Tch, it's the pot calling the kettle black." Zack retreated to his side of the rising elevator.

"Fuck you man." The Turk crossed his arms defiantly.

"No, I believe it is Rufus who does it to you."

"I swear the next person who says that to me I'm gonna kill em." Reno sighed and rolled his eyes at the ceiling.

"How does Tseng ever put up with you? You're still a loud mouth punk. If you were my busy bee I'd wash your mouth out with soap." Zack snickered at Reno's grimace.

"Gee Mom, I'll try to be nicer. I could say the same thing about you asshole. Ya made our fearless leader run all over the place trying to bail your sorry ass out of plenty of sticky situations."

"Ah, shut up."

Reno smirked victoriously as the elevator door dinged and opened to the dining hall. As the red headed, green eyed Turk continued rambling about eating food, Zack's mind couldn't help but wander back to the man residing in the hospital bed and what tomorrow would bring.

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Vincent had delivered the files as ordered to the Shinra President who accepted them with eyes brimming in anticipation, and ordered them to return in a couple days; a few nights of relaxation before things were set in motion. Rufus was a slave driver at times but he also knew that having a tired party of warriors at the head of battle meant utter defeat. Now, Vince and Cloud were currently sitting in their-well, Vincent's- apartment on the plush leather couch. The blonde had his head on Vincent's lap as the elder idly ran his fingers through the gravity defying spikes. It was only hours ago that they made their relationship concrete yet it already felt like they'd been together forever. Well, they sort of have in a sense- just not the lover relationship kind.

Two empty mugs that were once filled with coffee a couple hours ago sat on the glass table in front of the couch as the TV ran a movie. The dark haired male broke out in a grin as he heard Cloud's breathing deepen, signifying the younger succumbing to sleep. Coffee was to send energy through ones system, not make them tired.

Earlier, when Cloud and he shared their first kiss with one another made certain parts in the vampric male awaken, much to his strong discomfort. Sadly, he had to put his libido on hold when Cloud broke away from the kiss and said that they needed to get the files to Rufus. Files…? Oh yeah. Those files. Vincent forgot for a second as to what his companion was referring to. Arriving at President Rufus's office was not eventful as the blonde intellectual was scrutinizing the computer with all his might and ordered them to simply leave the papers on his desk. He told them that they were getting some time off to recover before everything was set into motion. When they were dismissed from the President's office, the two warriors made their way back to the apartment where Cloud promptly brewed up Vincent's promised drink after changing into more comfortable clothes.

Sure a part of them wanted to simply ravish one another since their relationship had officially begun, but… first things first; Cloud promptly began probing Vincent for information on his and Tseng's mission. Informing Cloud on what occurred and what they found, including the image of Dr. Mikami and his relationship to the Professor, the boy's mind reeled with the data his partner was spewing. Cloud was so deep in thought at the thought of Dr. Mikami caring for Zack and himself as well as Cloud's connection with Jenova's -mother 's- voice that whispered in his mind earlier, that he failed to respond to Vincent's asking his well being.

Cloud had gotten this spaced look on his face as his eyes dimmed, making Vincent startle a bit, remembering a few days prior to the blonde being controlled by Hojo. He called out to the boy who snapped back to the present. The coffee signaled its completion with a small beep and the two took their mugs to the couch and simply relaxed. Relaxing: a word un-heard of in their life styles.

Vincent had changed his clothes to something casual, a pair of black sweat pants and white t-shirt while Cloud adorned blue pajama pants and a white tank top. And now, the blonde had fallen asleep on Vincent's lap, snoring slightly. The crimson eyed warrior couldn't help but noticed the faint freckles that danced across Cloud's shoulders… if only he could get the shirt off to see where the darkened spots went across his back…

I must stop thinking of such indecencies.

Vincent sighed, turned off the TV, picked the sleeping boy up and carried him to the room. Vincent's room to be exact. They were a couple now so it would only be right that they slept in the same bed... He settled Cloud on his -their- bed (he needed to start thinking in couple terms now), pulling the covers away allowing the boy to slip in between the cool sheets as Vincent came up behind him and wrapped his arm around Cloud's middle. Oh how long has he waited to simply hold Cloud in his embrace... It felt so nice, so right. Vincent's metal claw idly traced small patterns on the boy's covered back. Cloud snuggled closer to the warmth radiating off of Vincent's body, his head resting perfectly under the darker male's chin.

It felt… good to be with someone. Vincent had to admit it. He thoroughly enjoyed being with Cloud and this new step to their already strong friendship was a nice bonus. To think that he, Vincent Valentine, had now found someone he could be with and love.

Yeah, it definitely felt good.

Vincent closed his burning crimson eyes and allowed sleep to take him, unaware of what was happening within Cloud's mind.

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Mn… So warm… Vincent…I'm tired of being alone… Cloud could feel Vincent carry him from the couch to the bed and liked it when the elder male pulled the younger closer, enveloping him in his warmth. He was right on the precipice of the sleep world when-

Cloud…

What the hell do you want! He was tired of hearing her nagging. He wouldn't wake Vincent. This was his battle.

Free me… Cloud…

I don't even know where the fuck you are. There's no way I'm freeing you.

You have to…

No. He was definitely not doing that.

Jenova's voice was more aggravated this time as she practically hissed at him. You must!

One good reason bitch.

A silent response. Cloud thought he won.

Her voice was sinister. I will send Zack back to the lifestream. Better yet… I'll kill that which is most precious to you…I'll take it all away.

Another voice broke in, make Jenova screech with anger. The man's voice sounded severely mechanized; his speech broken and uncontrolled. YeES Clo-uD… fFind Uus. ThiIs world wiiIL be mmiIne and Alll of it'ss creATIons!

HOJO!

SsstUPid boy. You thought THaaat I wAS ggOne?

Hojo what do you want?!

Yyouu wiL be Mmmy nnnnNNew GeneRAl! His demented cackle erupted in Cloud's head like a storm, making the boy's heart rate triple time.

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Vincent felt the quick thudding against his chest which made his eyes snap open to see Cloud visibly tense. The boy's eyes were closed extra tightly.

Nightmare. "Cloud… Cloud wake up…" Vincent tried soothing the boy's fear by running his hand through Cloud's blonde hair and kissing his forehead.

"Come one Cloud… wake up…"

The boy's heart rate slowed as tearful, but angry, blue eyes peered up at Vincent's own crimson depths. "Vincent…"

"Cloud?" Vincent could sense the fear that was present within his bed-mate. "What's wrong? What did you dream about?"

"It wasn't a dream…" Cloud replayed the invasion of his mind, remembering Jenova's angered scream as Hojo spoke… both voices Cloud had hoped he would never hear again… Again his heart rate began increasing as he cried out. "It wasn't a dream!"

Vincent tugged Cloud's body against his own in a tight hug. "Cloud calm down. You're here, it's ok. It'll be ok. Tell me about it."

"Vinny…" Blue eyes stared directly into Vincent's clothed chest, wondering if he should listen to the elder.

"Tell me Cloud." Vincent demanded it, knowing full well the Cloud could be stubborn at the worst possible times.

"It's Hojo…"

"What?!" Vincent's anger flared as he tightened his hold on the blonde in his arms again. Vincent never got riled up that easily but now since it was concerning Cloud...

"Let me explain before you go on a killing spree." Cloud wriggled a little, trying to loosen the death grip Vincent held him in.

"Go on." The gunner calmed… somewhat.

"Jenova was asking me to free her… I was arguing with her and then he came in… He… he wants me to become his general, sorta like Sephiroth I guess."

"That's not all, is it Cloud." Vincent knew the boy was hiding more and he was determined to pull it from him.

Nodding his head, Cloud looked away from Vincent's intense gaze. "Jenova said that if I didn't free her she'd send Zack back to the lifestream and kill you…"

"Cloud-"

"Let me finish. Hojo's voice was… not human, but... How are Jenova and he connected? How is Hojo tampering with the lifestream? I… I don't want to loose you or Zack…"

"You won't. I won't let that happen Cloud. We will defeat him once and for all."

"But Vincent-"

Cloud's lips were covered by Vincent's own as he deeply kissed the blonde, effectively silencing any protests the boy was conjuring up. Cloud moved his hand to Vincent's chest, feeling the others' heartbeat spike, making the blonde gasp.

Releasing Cloud's lips, Vincent stared deep into lust filled blue eyes. "Cloud, we just became a couple hours ago and I don't want to rush things with you."

"It's alright Vincent. I don't mind." Cloud kissed the other's lips forcefully.

Vincent reluctantly pulled away again knowing full well that Cloud just wanted to feel a connection after his inner battle with Jenova and Hojo. He didn't want to race things with the blonde. "Cloud... As much as I desire you now is not the right moment to go all the way..."

Cloud bit his lip and grinned making Vincent shiver a little. The boy was up to something. "But... we can do other things, right?"

Vincent gave a slight nod, rolling Cloud over and straddling the boy's hips as his hand trailed fire down Cloud's clothed body, making the younger pant. Cloud's white shirt was pulled up and over his head as Vincent descended on one erect nipple, nipping it and sucking it as his hand played with the other. The blonde's body writhed with Vincent's touches, making the elder grin, liking the reactions he was getting from his expressive lover.

Moving his hand down towards Cloud's pants, the dark haired gunner slipped it between fabric and skin, gripping the warm member that was demanding attention. Cloud moaned appreciatively as he felt Vincent pumping him. The blonde gripped the hem of Vincent's shirt and pulled it up, revealing planes of toned white flesh that was scarred from many years of lab treatments and battles… just like Cloud's… Noticing that Vincent wasn't utilizing his golden arm, Cloud grabbed it and brought it to his lips, kissing it, showing that he didn't mind it. Vincent's heart soared.

"Vincent…" Cloud panted wantonly as he felt his pants being removed from his body. The boy looked up as Vincent removed his own pair of black sweatpants, revealing his proud erection. Cloud licked his lips as Vincent descended on his body once more.

"You're beautiful… Cloud." Vincent raked his eyes up and down Cloud's heaving form as his hands ran freely over milky thighs.

He felt completely exposed. Sure it wasn't new to him but… this was his and Vincent's first time… it was kinda embarrassing. Clod moved an arm over his eyes to try and hide his embarrassment. Vincent took hold of the arm that obscured his sight of the panting boy's eyes and placed it above his head. "Don't hide Cloud."

Cloud looked down as he watched Vincent grasp his erection, giving it a tug, making the blonde moan in appreciation. Vincent grinned as Cloud writhed underneath his caresses. Damn, Cloud was seriously going to be Vincent's undoing one of these days. The erotic god that lay splayed out on the bed moaning out Vincent's name made said male's cock twitch with excitement. Crimson eyes connected with lusty, glowing blue as Cloud gave a final thrust into Vincent's hand, coming in ribbons of white. "V-Vincent... NGH!"

Vincent grinned happily watching Cloud come down from his euphoria that he ignited. The black haired gunner made a move to lay down next to Cloud, ignoring his own desire heated below, and go to sleep but the blonde would have none of it. "Don't even think about it Vincent."

"What?" He was rather confused with Cloud's statement but when the younger moved and brought his lips to the head of Vincent's still erect member, the dark one knew just exactly what was going to happen. And oh GODS did it feel good. Cloud's mouth engulfed the head of his cock, the boy's tongue swirling around the crown, dipping into the slit, making Vincent's eyes roll to the back of his head. Cloud brought his right hand and pumped the organ as his mouth worked the head of Vincent's cock. The boy's left hand fondling Vincent's sac, working the other to completion. A few more well placed licks, moans and squeezes made Vincent erupt into Cloud's awaiting mouth. Cloud swallowed Vincent's seed and licked his lips, letting the gunslinger's cock pop out of his mouth.

Yes they had just begun their relationship but damn it all to hell if they weren't going to act upon some desires they'd been holding in for a long time.

"Wow… that was good." Cloud licked his lips again, reveling in the taste that was strictly Vincent Valentine.

"You were wonderful, Cloud." Vincent kissed his lover and pulled him close. They would clean up in the morning.

Cloud was star-struck. Everything that had happened, everything that was going to happen, was all forgotten as he lay contently in Vincent's arms, slipping off into a dreamless slumber.

TBC

Thanks for reading ^_^

My this was a long chapter but I had oodles of fun writing it! Vincent and Cloud yummies *giggles*

Oh I guess you could say that this is the-semi- calm before the storm eh? Haha!

I hope you all are still enjoying this fic.

I love you guys!

Fun poll on my page!! ~_^

~ChaosGarden