Chapter XXI; Day 59

"I think I see your mouth twitching…"

"You're not allowed to talk," Lucrecia told the Turk, seeing the smile reflected in his eyes even as his lips stayed in their thin line; they'd been at this for just under fifteen minutes now, lying on their sides and trying to stare each other out. They'd packed some snacks and headed up to what had become 'their' hill, after lunch. Vincent had no qualms about leaving his designated post today, since both Professor Gast and Hojo had returned to Midgar. He briefly wondered whether this meant they were making progress with their research, but he shut out all other thoughts going in that direction and focused on his day with Dr. Crescent. He may have started out determined to expose Hojo's plans, but now that it was clear they were also the plans of President Shinra, there really did seem to be no hope. Vincent's only priority now was to make sure Lucrecia had no physical involvement in the experiments; if he thought about it, it was easy to imagine the kinds of experiments that would be used in creating a genetically enhanced person. So he didn't think about it. And in the end that wasn't incredibly difficult, considering the amount of time he'd spent with the scientist this week- not that the beginning of the week had been good in any sense of the word.

Now, as he stared into her round, chocolate brown eyes, he was impressed by the fact that she still had yet to look away. In normal circumstances it was rare for her to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds at a time, but the Turk wasn't complaining. In actual fact, Vincent was having a harder time keeping a straight face than her, although that was more because he was fighting the automatic urge to kiss her.

"If I keep my eyes open…can I kiss you?" he murmured, liking the blush that warmed her cheeks.

"If you let me win, you can kiss me all you want…" Lucrecia returned, blushing further.

"That's true, but-" just then an ear-splitting shriek went up and both the scientist and the Turk flinched. High in the sky, a valron was circling them and readying itself to dive. Swiftly leaning over Lucrecia and snatching up the strap of his holster, Vincent drew Cerberus and aimed at the flying creature. It shrieked again and went for them; Vincent pulled the trigger, the trio of bullets expertly piercing the valron's chest mid-dive. It reared up, flapping its wings sporadically before falling to the ground in a downwards spiral. The Turk lowered his revolver slowly, eyes flitting about in preparation for any more unwelcome guests. After a moment, he put Cerberus down and turned towards Lucrecia who had instinctively ducked her head, using her arms as a shield. He touched her shoulder, rolling her over to face him. The scientist sat up hesitantly, looking a little wide-eyed as she took in the dead beast ten feet away from them.

"I guess it was a draw…" she said eventually, sounding breathless. It took a minute for Vincent to realise she was talking about the staring contest and then a chuckle burst from his lips as he shook his head at her. Lucrecia beamed up at him, before leaning in and silencing him with a press of her lips.

"Thank you," the Turk smirked when the scientist pulled back.

"My pleasure," Lucrecia replied softly, hiding her face in the side of his neck; he wrapped his arms around her protectively, running his fingers through her long hair. Then he felt her start moving her mouth against the sensitive skin, trailing kisses up and along his jaw.

"Lucrecia…" Vincent murmured so low it was barely audible, as she brushed his lips with her own. He let her push him down into the grass, allowing her to be in control for once. She lay on top of him, her face bright red as he ran his hands up and down her back. They kissed for a long time, sending Vincent further and further into frustration with every second. He pushed her back by her shoulders just when he thought he couldn't take anymore, earning him a mildly reproachful look from the scientist.

"Why do you always do that?" she asked, her forehead creasing as she looked down at him.

"Do what?" he returned patiently, tipping her off him and getting to his feet before he offered her his hand. She ignored it and pulled herself up without his help, gathering up the few things they had brought with them.

"Just when we're…getting somewhere, you push me away or pull away from me…" she told him, turning away in self-conscious embarrassment. "Is it because you…don't want to…?"

"What?" Vincent all but spluttered, incredulous at the ridiculous idea.

"Well, what else am I supposed to think?" Lucrecia continued timidly as they headed down the hill back towards Nibelheim.

"Lucrecia, do you really think that?" the Turk asked, stopping in her path and taking her face in his hands so that she had to look at him. "Do you?"

"…If that wasn't the case, then why haven't you…?" she countered, biting her lip and looking down.

"Why haven't I what?" Vincent demanded, raising his eyebrows.

"You know what I'm talking about," the scientist cried under her breath, still avoiding eye contact; the Turk sighed, resisting the absurd compulsion to laugh.

"How am I supposed to know if you're…ready?" he said slightly defensive, but a small smile graced his lips.

"Oh," was all Lucrecia responded, glancing back up at him, looking surprised as her flush darkened. "Oh…"

"I don't want to force myself on you and have you let me because you don't know how to say no to people…" Vincent explained in a subdued voice, brushing the scientist's brown bangs out of her troubled face.

"I wouldn't let you because of that," she stated earnestly, not even disputing the matter of her being a 'yes' person. "I'd let you because I…want you to…" the Turk felt his heart squeeze as he gazed intensely into her eyes.

"…Okay," Vincent nodded once, sensing his cheekbones heat up faintly as a look passed between them. "I won't ever push you away again."

Note: Next chapter will contain sexual content ;)