A/N - thanks to everyone who has reviewed, I'm glad you're all enjoying it!
If there was one thing Vincent could do, it was make an entrance. He pushed the door open fully and gracefully entered, not turning to close it but pushing it shut with just enough force that it closed but didn't slam. I was impressed. We nodded at each other, which seemed the most comfortable way for us to say hello. I invited him to sit and he thanked me. I felt as though I had become more companionable since meeting the others, with Yuffie's infectious chatter rubbing off on me, but with Vincent I once again became the silent, stoic character I had been before, the character he still was.
"Are you well?" He asked. I nodded. He nodded too, with a glint in his eyes that could possibly have been relief, possibly nothing of the sort.
"We waited for you to join us," He said, after a few moments of silence.
"I have only just awoken," I replied, looking at him. Once again he nodded, taking his eyes and looking out of the window. I followed his gaze and noticed that it was a remarkably beautiful day. In the silence, I could hear the squawking of gulls and the gentle whoosh of the sea.
"We are in Mistlea," Vincent said, causing me to turn back towards him. I nodded. Oddly, I noticed how much I had come to dislike being so quiet and sombre, but felt that I had to be when I was with Vincent. I had come to dislike nodding altogether; what a dull communication it was, when words were so easy to speak.
Vincent leant forward, startling me.
"Would you tell me what happened to you?" He asked, looking straight into my eyes. It was a strange experience, finally finding someone else with eyes the same as mine. I wondered if he found it strange, looking into my eyes, so similar to his own. Like looking into a mirror. I looked away and shook my head.
"I wish I could tell you, but I don't know myself. I encountered the one who has been causing my dreams." Vincent looked intrigued.
"Can you tell me who it was?" He asked. I recalled his face, his handsome appearance, his bright blue eyes…
"I can't tell you who it was, but I can describe him to you," I said. Vincent nodded, moving his hand to encourage me to continue.
"He was handsome…" I said, feeling my cheeks colour a little. Why had I said that? I glanced at Vincent but he remained impassive, as ever. I continued. "He was tall, taller than you, with bright blue eyes like Cloud's. He was strong, he emanated power," I raised my hand to my throat, lost in my reverie. I felt Vincent pull my hand away and push my hair to one side. Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist, pushing him away from me.
"Did he cause that bruise?" Vincent asked. I looked into his eyes, his arm still firmly in my grip. I found myself unable to speak. It was then that Vincent glanced down at my hand, locked around his arm. I looked down too and saw the marks, exposed and clearly larger than they were before. I rushed to pull my arm away, but Vincent caught it and held it firmly but gently. His metal claw wrapped around my hand, his normal hand pushing up my sleeve. He couldn't hide the surprise as he saw how much bigger the stigma was; it was still evident in his eyes when he looked back into mine.
"When did you notice this?" He asked, looking back down at my arm. He ran his fingers over the marks, pressing them, tracing them. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of his touch.
My eyes snapped open and I pulled my hand from him. I chastised myself for being so foolish and rolled my sleeve down abruptly.
"This morning," I replied, "It must've happened yesterday, during the…" What should I call it? "The episode." When I looked up, Vincent was looking at me, his expression clearly showing concern. I looked away, the intensity of his gaze unnerving me. Why did I suddenly feel so strange around Vincent?
I shook the feeling off and looked back at Vincent. He had leant back in his chair and was now looking at me without any expression on his face.
"Is there anything else you remember about the…episode?" He asked me. I looked at him.
"I remember…" I looked away. I wanted to tell him, but I felt so…pathetic. I didn't want him to know how weak I was. "I remember feeling weak. I remember being unable to protect myself. While he was standing there, I was so calm, so…childlike. Now that I realise what happened…I feel…" I closed my eyes and felt anger welling up inside myself, burning behind my eyes. Vincent leant forward.
"Yes?" He said. I looked at him, felt his eyes piercing mine, as though he could see into my soul.
"I feel afraid," I said, letting out a big sigh. I never felt afraid; even if I did, I wouldn't tell anyone. Yet here I was, telling Vincent, of all people, that I was afraid. I looked at him.
"I understand," He said.
"You do?" I asked.
"Yes, I do," Vincent replied. I wanted to smile at him, but the smile wouldn't come. Instead, I merely nodded, as was the custom between us.
I stifled a yawn. Vincent stood, moving towards the door.
"You need to rest," He said. I nodded dumbly, snuggling down into the soft covers of the bed, allowing my head to rest on the mountain of pillows. Vincent opened the door.
"Wait," I said, sitting up. "I've remembered something else." Vincent turned towards me and waited for me to continue. I yawned widely, sleep rapidly taking me from consciousness.
"The man…from yesterday…he had very long hair…" Vincent took a step towards me.
"Long hair?" He asked. I nodded, my voice becoming a whisper.
"Yes…so long…long silver hair…"
I barely registered Vincent's startled appearance before sleep overwhelmed me.