And we all go "oh my god! Another updaate! Oh noez!" lol Or not. It's just how I feel since I just submitted a chapter like...two days ago or something? Proof it's Finals time I suppose. But again another angsty chapter just 'cause it is. Well, there's a little humor to add in and some semi-juicy stuff, but I'm not gonna say what. Some people may be disappointed in me though. I'm sorry! They were asking for it! lol But anyway, the title...heh. It actually has relevance this time! Well, they all do, but this one really does. It'll give you an idea at least that something gets apologized for. Anyway, hope too many fangirls of a certain pairing don't come after me with flaming torches. Heh. That could be taken two ways, but I really meant the physical version. Anyway, enough out of me!
Chapter 25--I Didn't Mean It
A tremor ran through the airship, jolting the ebony-haired man from his sleep. He was about to dismiss it as his imagination when another tremor shook the ship. Crimson eyes searching the darkness of the room, he saw no explanation for what had woken him. When he slid out of the bed and checked the door he wasn't too surprised that it was still locked, but he checked for anyone else in the room anyway.
Vincent suddenly noticed the sharp chill running through the room and made his way to the window. The wind flew into his face as he shoved the glass open and he gasped. Streaks of lightening were tracing through the sky, rain pelting his skin as the strong bursts of wind buffeted the airship. With a small groan he pushed the window closed and wiped a hand across his rain-soaked face. Something wasn't right. He knew that Cid wasn't as stupid as to keep going through a storm this strong.
He ran a hand through his hair as he grabbed the scarlet cloak from the dresser. Wrapping around his shoulders fought off some of the chill, but he still felt the icy water tricking down his neck. He shivered involuntarily, waiting for the cold to pass.
The corridor was as dark as the room had been with only a single light at the far end. Crimson eyes carefully traced the darkness just to assure himself that there was no one there. But who would be here? Who am I watching for? He tried to convince himself that he was just acting foolish, that there wasn't anyone who would bother him. But he knew how much he was lying. He was watching, waiting, wondering when the child Sephiroth would dare show his face again and begin his torment anew.
Or that other that was now haunting his mind. Whatever it was. It had been hard enough with just the child, but now he was being tortured inside by something he didn't understand. He wanted to say it was just his own mind doing it except he knew better. It was something else.
And the worst part wasn't even the fact that he himself didn't understand it all. No. It was that he couldn't explain it to anyone else when he knew they would all be running to hear a reason. At least Cid knew his predicament with the child so he did understand somewhat. But the others? Tifa knew a little, but not much. And the rest, including Cloud who would be first to ask, had no idea. They would try to dismiss it as him going crazy or as a nightmare that somehow affected him.
If only it were one of those. I would rather be losing my mind than dealing with whatever this is. Cid had given him an idea about it being one of the demons locked inside of him, but he didn't see how that could be. He had never heard anything before and how many years had he lain with them in that coffin? Why would one suddenly be trying to take over now when it would have been so much easier before? It just didn't make sense and it was beginning to bother him more every second.
He was struck with surprise as he continued making his way through the Highwind. Normally he would have run into at least one other by now, but he hadn't even heard anything. Even Yuffie was missing from her usual spot outside of the cockpit. Uneasiness crept into him as he glanced around once more, his hand gently settling on the icy handle of the door.
He wasn't really sure what he would see in the cockpit when he opened the door, but it was probably the most reassuring thing he could have seen at that moment. It actually made sense now that he thought of it. Everyone had done the same as him. They had all headed toward the cockpit to see what was going on.
Cait Sith was standing closest to the door and turned to acknowledge him as he passed by. Catching sight of Tifa standing off to the side, he stepped close to her. "Tifa, what is going on here?"
"Hey Vincent." She waved a hand in the direction of the two blondes standing with their backs to everyone else. "I'm not really sure yet. I guess they're trying to figure out to do, but it seems pretty obvious to me."
"Land the ship?" Vincent offered lightly as he turned his gaze toward the main window. Another fork of lightening traced across the sky, illuminating the entire cockpit in white light. He turned his head away for a second as the accompanying roll of thunder deafened him.
Tifa removed her hands from her ears and nodded. "Yeah. Seems like the most logical idea."
The gunner nodded also. Cloud was now leaving the pilot and heading toward Cait Sith, most likely to find out if Shinra had stopped. "But you have to remember. Neither of them are well-known for logical thinking. They are more likely to follow their gut feeling than anything." He closed his eyes against another flash of lightening and stepped away from the girl.
Cid was concentrating hard on the rain-slicked pane of glass before them even thought it was completely black. But he heard the familiar footsteps behind him and glanced over his shoulder, almost smiling at the sight of the gunner. "Was wonderin' if you'd manage t' sleep through this thing or not."
"Hmm. Well, I do sleep through your snoring, so I suppose I could have." He smiled softly at Cid as the pilot sneaked a small kiss. "I think it was more of your terrible navigation that woke me than the storm."
"Oh, but you can be the biggest smartass sometimes, can't you?" the blonde whispered as he pointed toward the navigation map. "Anyway, we've gotta keep goin'. No stoppin' now."
The playful feeling had disappeared instantly. "What? Why? I thought you said once that the Highwind couldn't take strong storms. It seems almost insane to keep going like this."
"Yeah, well, check out th' screen." He tapped the green navigation screen with a gloved finger. "We can't land over th' damned ocean. An' we're too far t' go back t' Junon. Our only choice is t' keep headin' for Costa del Sol an' wait it out. Let's just hope th' Lady's with us 'till we get there."
"'The Lady'?" Vincent was fairly sure he'd heard Cid mention the Lady before, but he'd never asked.
The pilot laughed sharply. "Lady Luck, Vince, Lady Luck. She's never failed me yet an' I don't see her as takin' a break today just 'cause it's rainin'." A strong burst of wind caught the broad side of the Highwind and everyone stumbled as the ship lurched to the left. "Dammit! How we goin' over there guys?"
One of Cid's workers glanced up from his post. "We're about ten minutes out. Almost there, but we're picking up some winds that could hit a hundred Captain. They're headed straight for us."
"A hundred? As in a hundred miles per hour?" Barret finally made his presence know as he stood, getting the pilot's attention. "Cid, this is crazy! Yer gonna get us all killed if ya don't turn around or somethin'. Isn't there somewhere else we could land?"
"No!" Cid slammed his fist against the wheel. "This is my goddamned ship and I know how much she can take! Now if any of you wanna try an' stop me an' turn her around yourself, you're welcome t' it. But I'm not givin' up when we're ten fuckin' minutes away, you hear me?" He faced the wheel again, breathing heavily. "Now. If any of you have any more problems, just keep 'em t' yourselves, got that?"
Cloud was the first to recover from the verbal outburst and he strode quickly to the pilot's side. "Cid, he has a point. It'd be better to lose time turning around than to lose our lives going on."
The elder closed his blue eyes for a moment. "Strife, I know I've always listened t' you before, but believe me. This time I've gotta go against those orders. I've seen these kinds of storms and what's behind us is worse than what's in front. Goin' back is the suicide, not goin' forward. So please. Just let me do this an' shut up." The cerulean eyes opened finally, settling on the matching pair.
The swordsman nodded uncertainly, lifting his gaze to the crimson eyes peering over the pilot's head. Vincent tipped his head in encouragement. Well, if he trusts Cid then I guess we should too. Even if they are lovers, Vincent still doesn't trust that easily. I guess he believes him. "All right. Keep us going then."
"Captain!" One of the others stretched out a hand, pointing toward the window. "What are those?"
"Th' lights of Costa del Sol. C'mon guys, this isn't over yet. Still gotta find a place t' put her down. I'm sure th' officials wouldn't appreciate us just landin' in th' middle of their town." Moving his left hand off of the wheel, he felt fingers twine around his own. He glanced up to see Vincent staring straight ahead, his face calm as he watched the lights draw nearer. At first Cid thought it was to reassure the gunner, but now he understood that it was more likely something to help him settle down as he finished off the flight. Turning his gaze back to the window, he squeezed the thin fingers gently, smiling as they returned the motion. "Told ya we'd make it."
"I wasn't the one who doubted you, was I?" Instead of waiting for an answer, the gunman turned his eyes toward Cloud again. "Now the question is whether we have a plan or not."
Cloud glanced from the crimson gaze to the growing lights of the beach town. "I guess we'll figure that out when we get there." He quickly moved his sights away from the ebony-haired man in favor for Tifa and Yuffie. Trying to get his mind away from the pair, he stepped toward the girls. "So, what do you two think?"
The entire ship jolted as Cid cursed in the background. Tifa glanced from the elder blonde to Cloud, shrugging. "I have no idea for a long term plan, but about staying the night—"
"I'm getting off, no matter what! Even if I have to pay for my own inn room, I'm not staying on this thing one second after it lands." Yuffie crossed her arms over her stomach, glaring around the cockpit. "Got that? Inn. That's my plan."
Tifa nodded slowly. "That actually seems like a good idea. I know I wouldn't mind getting off for a while and maybe getting something decently hot to eat."
"What? I'll have you know that half of th' damned food was cooked by you!" Cid glared at her as he pushed a lever forward. "Not my fault that neither of us can cook like a fuckin' gourmet so deal with what you've got."
"All right, let me rephrase that. I'd like something different for once. That better?" She pointed a finger in the general direction of the kitchen. "And I know that half of the meals cooked are by me. But maybe I'd like a break from cooking for a little while, all right? If you love it that much then stay on here and cook. I don't have a problem with it, but I'm going with Yuffie." She propped a hand on her hip and sent a playful glare in the pilot's direction. "Besides. She can't go alone."
"Can too!" Yuffie jumped up from her seat, but quickly retreated again, curling into her ball in the seat again.
The blonde shrugged and pulled back a few levers with a grunt. "Do whatever you want. But we're here. Now who said that we should turn back an' do all that ridiculous shit?"
"Shut up," Barret grumbled as he stood stiffly and started to follow the two departing girls. "I'm goin' with them if anyone cares."
Red nodded his head. "If anyone should need me I will be in my usually place in the stable." When the remaining said their shortened goodbyes, he turned and disappeared into the darkened corridor silently.
"And you Cait Si—oh. I forgot about that." Cloud moved toward the stuffed moogle, the mechanical cat already shut down in the cushioned lap. Instead, he turned toward the last two. Vincent and Cid had already started talking, probably discussing their own plans. "And you guys?"
A pair of cerulean eyes flicked onto his own. "We're figurin' that out. If we stay, we stay. If we go, you'll see us in there. 'Kay?" Cid shrugged his shoulders back, more to relieve the stiffness in them than anything. "Either way th' Highwind'll be locked so you'll have t' get us by the PHS. So it doesn't really matter, does it?"
"Suppose not," Cloud said softly as he waved and left them to themselves.
Cid watched through the front pane of glass as Cloud raced through the rain, a streak of lightening lighting his way momentarily. "That kid's got some issues sometimes. Why's he care what we do?"
"Maybe he just cares about us all and we don't know it," Vincent said as he started to walk away. His departure was stopped by a hand closing around his wrist and pulling him backward. "Cid, what are you up to?"
"Nothing," the blonde mumbled as he pulled the fair face down to his own. The kiss was broken only when a crack of thunder made them both jump. "So. What're you thinking? Stay here or go?"
The ebony-haired gunner smoothed back his bangs. "I'm not sure. Why am I choosing?"
"Don't want you t' think I'm biased." He pulled back, looking into the crimson eyes. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "You wanna go t' the inn too, don't you?"
Vincent frowned. "Where did you get that idea?" It seemed more like he had plucked the thought right of the air rather than gotten it from the gunman.
"'Cause I can see it in your eyes. I guess even I'd get tired of stayin' around here constantly too if I hadn't built her." He shrugged and wrapped an arm around the thin waist as he led them out toward the storm.
Vincent stopped the pilot just as he started to open the door. "I still don't see where you got that. I don't mind where I stay. I don't really prefer one place over another when it comes to sleeping. After all, I spent years in the basement of a house I can't stand in a coffin." He pulled Cid into his own embrace. "Do you truly think that I would prefer an inn over the Highwind? It doesn't matter to me where I am as long as you are there too."
Cid couldn't help the grin that was taking over his face. "Nice an' smooth there, Vince. Know just what t' say, don't you?" Snatching another kiss, he quickly punched in the code for the lock. A rumble of thunder rolled across the sky as the hatch opened slowly, Vincent's cloak stretched above them as they made their way across the soaked field.
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"C'mon Vince, have a drink. It won't hurt you or anything." Cid raised the glass slightly, trying to force it into the gunner's unresponsive hand. They had already gotten the room and were now downstairs in the small bar, the smell of alcohol about to choke Vincent. He shook his head, trying to push the glass away. "Vince."
"I just don't want any, all right? I never was much of a drinker." He lifted his water to his lips, watching the pilot shrug and down the small glass of amber liquid. "And I don't quite see the reasoning behind getting drunk."
The blonde smiled and draped an arm around the black-clad shoulders. "I'm not getting' drunk. Just unwindin' a bit. You should really try it. Promise it won't hurt you."
Fingers brushed his throat and traveled upward toward his ear. Shivering at the touch, he made the mistake of looking Cid in the eyes. The cerulean gaze was almost pleading as if he simply wanted to share the moment. Taking a breath, he sighed. "Fine. But only a few. I'm not getting drunk, if that's what you are going for."
"That's it!" Cid grinned as he pulled the bottle closer and filled the small glass. Placing a tiny kiss on the smooth cheek, he handed the glass over to Vincent. "Knew you'd come around sometime."
"This had better not be a mistake." The crimson eyes closed as he tipped back the glass, grimacing at the bitter fire that ran down his throat. Coughing, he almost dropped the glass, but Cid quickly grabbed it from him and started laughing. Finally regaining enough breath to speak, he glared at the pilot. "What are you laughing about? That was not funny, I'll have to know."
"Sure it was. You just weren't lookin' for the humor, that's all." He poured another drink, sliding back toward Vincent. "It gets easier as you go on you know."
Vincent eyed the pilot and then the glass. "Like I'm supposed to believe you aren't trying to get me drunk when you keep pushing this toward me." But he picked up the glass anyway, forcing the bitter liquid down. A rush of dizziness ran through him and he shook his head against it. "What is this stuff?" he finally asked when the dizziness started to pass.
Cid picked up the bottle, inspecting the label. "Hell if I know. But whatever it is, it sure is some good shit. Another?" He held out the bottle, offering to refill the glass. Vincent started to protest, but he did it anyway, pushing the glass into the man's hand. "C'mon Vince, don't wimp out on me now."
All right. But this is the last one." He lifted the glass to eye-level, staring at the blonde through the amber liquid. "We have an agreement?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Spoil my fun," he said jokingly. He watched as Vincent replaced the empty glass to the bar, the sharp chink filling the almost silent room. He glanced around. They were almost alone save for a couple people in the far corner. It seemed a little strange that the bar was this empty, but it didn't matter that much. All that really mattered was that they were there. Black flashed out of the corner of his eye and he looked up to see Vincent standing slowly. "Hey. Where you goin'?" He reached out, laying a hand on the slim wrist.
A hand wiped across the milky face, brushing back the raven hair at the same time. "Up to the room. I wouldn't mind getting a bath tonight and I would rather get up the stairs before you make so I can't." He smiled lightly as a small expression that resembled a pout crossed the pilot's face. "Don't spend all your money down here, all right?"
"Meanin' don't get shit-faced, right?" he asked as he pulled the gunner down again, pressing their lips together. "Don't worry. I won't go overboard or anything. Be up in a few, 'kay?" Vincent smiled as they kissed again and finally broke away, heading for the stairs.
A slightly lopsided grin settled on Cid's face as he turned his attention back toward the bottle. Glancing through the glass, he caught sight of the bartender staring at him. The grin disappeared and he peered around the bottle. "Somethin' interestin'?"
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The light reflected off of the water, shining droplets falling toward the floor. Vincent had just spent the past hour or so thinking over everything and he still couldn't make any sense of it. Shaking his head, he wrapped a towel loosely around his waist. Running a hand through his damp hair, he switched off the light and stretched out on the bed.
Nothing was fitting together whatsoever. All he wanted to do was forget the child and anything that was associated with him. But that was near impossible, especially when he had that knack of just showing up whenever he liked. The only thing the crimson-eyed man could do was hope it would be resolved soon and try to find some sort of understanding in the whole mess.
He glanced at the bedside clock. Midnight. Cid still hadn't returned to the room meaning he was most likely still downstairs in the bar. Vincent sighed. He knew he should go get him but he didn't even feel like moving at the moment. Everything seemed to be bearing down on him as if the air now weighed enough to crush him. He started to close his eyes and drift into his silent sleep when a knock brought him back.
He frowned. He had locked the door, sure. Both he and Cid had keys so there was no need to leave it unlocked. And for some reason the others' rooms were clear on the other side of the inn, quite a walk for in the middle of the night. Well, I suppose there is one explanation. He slowly stood to avoid the slight dizziness looming over his head that was more from the hot bath than anything. "Don't tell me you lost your key already—Cloud." He stared uncertainly at the blonde youth, watching as he gaped for words. Apparently he hadn't expected to come across Vincent mostly naked save for the towel wrapped around his thin waist. "Something wrong?"
"Uh, no. I just, uh, wanted to talk to you, that's all." He shook his head a little, trying to clear it from the stun of seeing Vincent the way he was. He'd never seen the man less than fully-clothed and the sight of his bare skin was a shock.
"Oh. Let me go put on some clothes then and we'll—"
"No!" Cloud reached out but stopped himself from touching the pearly skin. "I mean, it's really important. That's what I meant."
Vincent tilted his head. "It can't wait a few minutes?"
"Not really. It's just something quick, I promise. Just a few questions." Cloud managed to tear his eyes away from the gunner and turned them on the clock instead. "You weren't sleeping were you?"
Vincent followed his gaze to the clock. "No. I was just waiting." He opened the door further, allowing Cloud to enter the room. A slight unease crept through him as he watched the blonde carefully looking around. The blue eyes settled on Cid's wallet which he had left upstairs just in case.
"Nice picture," he whispered to himself as he looked closer at the photograph. He wasn't entirely sure when they had gotten it taken, but it was there. The thing that caught him was the fact that they both were smiling and happily smiling at that. Cid was kneeling down, Vincent perched on his shoulders as if he was about to carry the gunner off. He whirled around, facing Vincent once more.
"So. You had some questions." He was fairly certain he knew what they were about, especially based on their conversation in Junon. Arms crossed over his chest, waiting for Cloud to speak.
"Yeah." The blonde abandoned the wallet and motioned for Vincent to sit down. He obliged and Cloud pulled the only chair out and settled himself. "Who's the child?"
The words caught Vincent by surprise. He'd expected something about his relationship with Cid, but here was Cloud asking about the child he'd never mentioned. "How did you—"
"I overheard you speaking of some child a few times. It always seemed to me like this kid, whoever he is, is bothering you and in some obscure way, us also. So who is he?" Cloud's voice had gone slightly hard. He wanted the answer and fast.
The crimson gaze flicked away and toward the far wall. Anything to keep him from having to look into those blue eyes. "I—I don't want to speak of him," he whispered harshly.
"Vincent, just tell me—"
"I said I don't wish to speak of him! Just drop the subject, all right?" Vincent turned his gaze back to Cloud and the younger man started. He'd seen that glare and heard that tone of voice once before when he'd asked about the gunner's nightmares. So maybe that was a clue that the two were connected. But it still didn't matter if he had no idea what either of them were.
Cloud swallowed. "Fine. I won't ask anymore. But I would like it if you would tell me sometime before it's too late." He started to stand but halted.
"Is there something else?" Vincent was now feeling that unease again as Cloud pushed the chair back into place and stopped, his hand at the door.
"Yeah." The swordsman's voice was soft as he stared at the closed door, his back to the gunner. "Why him?" A soft whisper of cloth told him that Vincent had risen also. "Why was it him?"
I knew it would come to this eventually. "Because it just happened that way." He couldn't think of any other reason that wouldn't bring up more questions. He just wanted to get Cloud out of the room so he could get changed and go get Cid.
"That's how it happened?" Cloud whirled around, catching the crimson eyes. "Why? Why was it him and not…not me?" He took in the stunned expression taking over Vincent's face as a sign to continue while he still had the courage. "Why didn't you choose me? What does he have that I can't give you?"
The gunner gaped slightly as he fought to search for some logical answer. "C—Cloud…"
"Just tell me and I'll leave. I won't ask about it ever again. But just tell me. What can he give you that I can't?" The blonde stepped forward, drawing closer to him every second.
Soon Vincent couldn't back up anymore, his legs pressed against the edge of the bed. "Cloud, what are you—"
"Just tell me dammit! Is it that hard? Or is there really nothing? Is that it? There's nothing that he has me beat at?" He reached out and grasped the thin wrist, blue eyes locking with the crimson stare. "If anything, I have him beat. How is someone who drinks and smokes constantly, has the loudest and foulest mouth in existence, and puts down just about everyone, even you sometimes, better than me? I just don't see it."
Vincent tried to wrench his hand free, but Cloud's grip was too strong. "Cloud, you're drunk."
"I'm perfectly sober. Your lover's the one downstairs getting so drunk that he can't remember his or your name! Not me! Why is that better?" He pressed forward, his face only inches from the pale gunner's. "Just tell me one thing that he can give you that I can't."
Vincent swallowed, his throat thick with apprehension. He couldn't answer simply because he couldn't think. Never had he seen Cloud like this and it completely stunned him into silence. Cloud pressed forward again and he tripped, falling back onto his back, Cloud's grip on his wrist bringing him also. When he opened his eyes, the blonde was holding himself above his body, his wrists held tightly above his head. "C—Cloud, get off of me!"
"Not until I show you what I can give you." He leaned down, pressing his lips against the gunner's in a forced kiss. Tightening his grasp on the thin wrists, he pressed forward again, the kiss interrupted by his tongue sliding through the soft lips. Vincent shuddered under him, the tremor making him want to seek more of the man.
Transferring both wrists to one hand, he ran the other down the smooth chest as it shuddered again from the breathless gasp. Only when the ebony-haired man had stopped struggling did he release the petal-soft lips and lean back to gaze into the half-frightened crimson eyes. "Can you honestly say that he's still better than me now?" he whispered as he dipped down again, lips brushing the milky skin of Vincent's throat.
"C—Cloud….please….leave me alone." Again he started to struggle, but his first fight had left him tired. Not to mention that that dizziness was still hanging around his head and making everything seems foggy, otherworldly almost.
Then his wrists were released and he gasped in surprise. He hadn't thought that Cloud would listen, let alone free him. Moving his hands before his face, he rubbed at the red marks stretching across them. If it hadn't been for those marks he would have thought it all a dream. Those marks and the man still straddling his waist anyway.
The sapphire eyes gaze was turned away as if he couldn't stand the sight of Vincent. "I—I'm sorry," he whispered, running his hands over his face. "I just—I just don't understand what you see in him. I guess I just wanted a chance." Vincent started to rise up, but he reached out and pressed the raven-haired gunner back down. "That's all I want, Vincent. A chance. Will you give me that?" He brushed another kiss against the unwilling lips, this time stopping when he was pushed.
Raven silk framed the crimson eyes. "Cloud, I'm sorry. I can't." He hated knowing he had caused the look of sorrow that crossed the swordsman's face in that instant, but he could do nothing about it. "Cloud, I can't leave him. I love him. I would never go against—"
"Cloud! Vincent!" The blonde twisted around to see Tifa standing at the still open door, her hand raised to her mouth. And behind her, the pair of eyes that mirrored his own.
Cid was glaring at him furiously, his hands clenched against his sides in an effort not to outright attack the younger man. "What's going on here?" he growled as he pushed past the girl to stare at the two. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but it was incredibly hard not to when all he saw was Vincent clothed in only a towel under Cloud. "I—I want an explanation now, dammit!"
Cloud quickly scrambled off of the bed to stand before the elder. "I—he—there's nothing going on." He faced the pilot, thinking his supposed courage to be plain stupidity right now. After all, you have to be pretty stupid to try and lie right to the man's face. He's liable to kill you right here for this. His fingers crossed for some unknown reason as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Bullshit! You expect me t' believe that when I come in here an' see you like that? I'm not fuckin' stupid, Cloud." He lowered his voice to a dangerous tone, staring straight into the swordsman's eyes. "Now you gonna tell me why the fuck I just found you two in bed together?"
"Cid!" Tifa wrapped her arms around the elder blonde, trying her hardest to pull him back from Cloud. "I'm sure there's a perfectly logical explanation besides what you're thinking! Now just let him talk and stop threatening him!"
"I'm not even close t' threatenin' him yet so shut up, Tifa! This doesn't involve you, all right?" Flinging his arm back, he knocked her grip loose. His other hand reached out and grasped Cloud's shirt, twisting the collar until he had drawn the boy closer. "Now. Answers." His eyes flicked to Vincent who was still sitting in the bed as though he wasn't sure of what to do.
Cloud coughed, pushing against the larger man. "I told you, there's nothing going on! It's all a misunderstanding!" He gasped for breath as the grip tightened slowly. "I'm serious! This isn't what you think, really! It's not his fault!" He could have kicked himself for that last line, but it was too late now. The grasp on his shirt disappeared and he coughed again, dragging a few painful breaths into his body.
"What do you mean it's not his fault? You sayin' that you were tryin' t' force him?" He moved his eyes to the gunner again, locking on the crimson gaze. "Was that it?"
"No!" Cloud fumbled with his words and shook his head. "I mean, yes and no. I wasn't really doing anything that was forced, all right?" Raising a hand to his neck, he rubbed a little at the welt under his hair the shirt had caused.
Cid's glare changed from one man to the other, finally settling on Cloud again. "Whatever. Just get your ass out of here. We'll finish this later, got that?" he growled under his breath as he shoved the younger blonde out of the room. Tifa stood back, catching hold of the stumbling boy as he stared back at the room.
When they finally turned away and started down the hall Cid moved his attention back inside. The door shook slightly as he slammed it. "And you. What the hell was that about?"
Vincent's eyes widened. Cid actually thought he was cheating on him? "But I—"
"Was he tellin' th' truth or not? About not forcin' you." Cid stood before the bed, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared down at the gunner.
"I—it wasn't exactly forcing, I suppose," he finally whispered. "It wasn't like he was going to do anything."
The pilot huffed and flicked his gaze toward the window. "Then what did he do? If he didn't force you t' do anything, then what did you do?"
Vincent sat up on his knees on the bed. "We didn't do anything. All that happened was he came in saying he had some questions. One of them was why I was with you and not him. Then he just kissed me. Nothing more. He kept asking for me to give him a chance."
"And?" The blue eyes moved back to him and Vincent distinctly saw a look of anxiety floating in the cerulean pools. Cid was worried that he would choose Cloud over him.
The gunman sighed and moved to the edge of the bed, his knees sinking a little in the soft mattress. "Cid, I told him plainly what the deal was." One slim hand reached out and pulled the pilot closer. "I told him that it would never happen. That I would never leave you." Wrapping his arms around the pilot's neck, he stretched upward until his lips brushed his lover's.
The blonde sighed. He saw where he'd gone wrong, but still. Anyone with half a mind would have reacted the same. But he was relieved to hear the actual story and not just the one his brain had been shouting at him the second he'd seen them through the open door.
Leaning down, he knelt on the bed also, his weight suddenly placed on the mattress unbalancing Vincent. Trapping him in a soft kiss was easy enough and he smiled as nimble fingers laced through his hair. The he heard those three whispered words that made him melt every time.
A gentle hand pushed under his shirt collar and he almost laughed as the fingertips caressed his collarbone, ticking the skin there ever so slightly. Drawing away slightly, he ran his lips over the smooth neck, his tongue tracing soft trails over Vincent's throat. Lips closed around his right earlobe and he sucked in a breath as teeth gently pressed against it. The gunner always had that uncanny way of driving him crazy with that simple act and he ran a hand up his lover's back to try and keep himself calm.
He was about to return to kissing the porcelain skin when a knock at the door made him jump. The gentle nibbling was stopped abruptly and the gunner bit down in his surprise, warm fluid soaking his tongue. "Shit!" Pulling away, Cid raised a hand to his ear.
Vincent wiped a streak of blood from his chin and reached behind him. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"It's not your fault Vince. It's whoever's stupid enough t' bother us." He grabbed the tissues that Vincent was holding out, pressing a handful to his ear. The stinging had subsided already, but he could feel the blood soaking the thin paper. A growl slipped loose as he stood and pulled open the door. "What the—Tifa?"
The girl seemed stunned to see him holding a wad of bloodied tissues to his ear. "Did…something happen?"
The door clicked as he stepped into the hallway and closed it. "Yeah. Decided I wanted t' get my ear pierced. Got a problem with that?" Hissing, he checked his ear again. Luckily, only a few of Vincent's teeth had actually gone through. "Guess I'll have t' get an earring now."
"Isn't it on the wrong ear?" Tifa reached up and tipped his head to get a better look. Two tiny holes perforated his earlobe, the crimson liquid still dripping from them. "Thought they always went on the left ear."
"I was jokin', Tifa. Figure it out. Your damned knockin' scared Vince an' he bit me, okay?" He tugged his head free and glared at her. "What're you doin' here anyway?"
Tifa arched a brow. "Well, I was coming to see if you had gotten things worked out or not. But apparently you two have. I guess I don't need to tell you what I heard from Cloud."
The blonde checked his ear again and stuffed the tissues in his pocket. "No. I heard it already. An' you can tell th' little punk not t' try it again or I'll kick his skinny ass up between his shoulders. An' let him know I'm still royally pissed at him while you're at it."
Tifa nodded, her umber hair falling over her shoulder. "He figured as much." Turning, she glanced over her shoulder. "And sorry about that. Didn't mean to interrupt or anything. But it seems like the plan is to leave early tomorrow. Around nine. Thought I'd tell you that too."
"Leave early. The kid's lucky I'm not leavin' his ass here. But," he waved a hand, "I'll go with th' plan. Nine it is." Cid spun on his heel, reaching for the door handle. Then a thought struck him. "Oh. Thanks for ruinin' th' mood an' all. Don't think I can manage that myself."
The girl smiled. "Gladly. Don't need you getting too happy after all."
"Suppose pilots aren't allowed t' be happy now? Damn. Guess I need t' go for a career change then." He nodded and smiled back lightly, slipping into the room.
Vincent looked up from where his side of the bed. "What was that about?" he asked softly as Cid stripped off his shirt and pulled back the covers.
"Ah, she was wantin' t' find out how things went on our end an' t' tell us what time we're leavin' tomorrow. Guess th' weather'll clear up by then." He laid back and watched out of the corner of his eye as Vincent curled against his side. "Least she said sorry for interrruptin'."
The gunner smiled as he wrapped an arm around his lover, pulling himself closer. Laying his head on his lover's chest, the crimson eyes closed. "Guess we'd better get some sleep then," he mumbled against the tanned skin. "I am sorry about that."
"Yeah, well, don't worry 'bout it. Guess I was bound t' get injured somehow tonight. Better it's from you than Strife." Cid raised his eyes to the light burning overhead and reached up to turn it off. As darkness overtook the room, he peered out toward the window. Stars twinkled in the black expanse and seemed as if they were almost greeting him. Then his eyes fell on the glowing mass that dwarfed every star in sight. Quickly turning his head, he rested his chin on the top of the ebony hair. But still Meteor burned in his mind even after he closed his eyes.
Like I said, I hope no Cloud/Vincent fans come after me. But I couldn't very well have it be all happy and have some good lovin' between those two can I? That would be much too simple and plus, kind of goes against everything that's set up so far. lol But at least I didn't make Cloud all forceful like "You're my biatch, now give me what I want or I'll just go ahead and tie you to the bed." Heh. Bad fangirly mind a-working here. But there's someone to blame for this new love of Cloud/Vince or Vince/Cloud, whichever you prefer. And I 3 her big time for it. lol But no worries, I refuse to give up on these two! Really. But I think I could use some of whatever those two were drinking. lol I'd probably already be passed out in Cid's lap after those three drinks since I've never touched alcohol. Hmm...I like that idea. lol Stupid, stupid fangil mind. Need to get rid of it somehow. Anyway, hope the fast update didn't scare anyone too badly.
:takes out a huge piece of chalk and starts writing on the wall:
Vincent: "Please review and I'll..." what?
Give you lots of hugs and write more good stuff!
Cid: What're you definin' as good stuff?
Eh heh, we'll just have to see about that. Anyway, as Vinny said, please review? Lots of love to whoever does and I promise I'll get back to you soon!