Vincent allowed Veld to strip him down to the waist once they were tucked away in the bathroom of the executive suite, expression guarded as scars were bared. Scars that never should have been on a living being.

Veld's fingertips brushed what he recognized immediately as an autopsy scar, feeling emotion well up and threaten to choke him. "Vincent…"

The grief in his voice was too much. Vincent swallowed against his own welling of emotion, covering Veld's hand with his own. "I'm still here."

"I know, I just…" Veld closed his eyes, shaking his head. What if's wouldn't do them any good now, decades later. It just hurt. All of it hurt.

"Don't," Vincent said softly. "We both made mistakes, but I'm here now. That's what matters."

Veld nodded, making a little sound of surprise when he was pulled into a hug. He returned it carefully, remembering the injury he'd suffered all too clearly, and startled when Vincent tightened his grip in response. But he took the hint, hugging him back just as tight and taking comfort in the embrace.

"I'm here," Vincent repeated. "And I'm not going anywhere."

"I'll hold you to that," Veld warned.

"I fully expect you'd hunt me down if I tried," Vincent said, only half teasing.

"Probably," Veld admitted. He shifted his hold and abruptly registered the tacky feel of blood under his arms. "…you need a shower."

Vincent laughed softly, pulling back. "I do, yes. I'll get that. Do you have anything to snack on, or do you have to wait for Anya?"

"I'm sure there's something kicking around," he said. "Get your shower, I'll take care of me."

"Alright." Vincent nodded, and resumed stripping down as Veld slipped out to go check for food.

He found some rather stale granola, but it would do in a pinch. It was a start at least; he was feeling shakier than he'd readily admit, with that heady sort of feeling that threatened passing out if he wasn't careful.

It was a relief to see Anya, carrying two garment bags, two very full grocery bags, and a box of what absolutely smelled like donuts. "You are an angel."

"I have never been an angel in my life," she said, amused. "Go sit, you're weaving."

Veld huffed at her, but obediently made his way back to the table. She wasn't wrong.

She set the box in front of him on her way to the kitchenette, setting down the bags and going to the bathroom briefly to slip Vincent clothes. "I imagine neither of you is in any condition to cook. Do you have any updates?"

"They're coming in, I'm just… not processing real fast," Veld admitted.

"Expected, given your condition. I'll review them once we have food on," she said.

"Please tell me you're not going to make my apartment smell like liver," Veld said.

"I know better. I'll be keeping his steak on the rare side," she said. "With potatoes, for carbohydrates."

"And something you knew I'd eat." Veld chuckled, opening the box. Normally he wouldn't have had dessert before dinner, but he desperately needed the boost. Besides, they looked fantastic and they were still hot.

He didn't look up right away when he heard the bathroom door open, more occupied with making sure he didn't get any of the raspberry jam on his shirt.

"…is this a hint, Anya?"

Veld looked up and promptly forgot about the donuts.

Somehow - likely sheer necessity - Anya had gotten Vincent into a suit. It was midnight black, a touch darker than Veld's own, with a stormy gray shirt. She'd foregone the tie and admittedly the thigh holster for Cerberus didn't work as well with the thinner material, compared to the skintight leather he'd been in, but… damn. He looked…

"One does not retire from the Turks," Anya informed him.

Vincent snorted softly, crossing his arms, but his expression softened when his eyes landed on Veld. "Well?"

"It's hardly standard issue, but considering I can't get Reno to tuck in his shirt and wear a tie, and I'm doing well to even get Ruluf to button his shirt, I'll take it," Veld said.

"Mmhm." Vincent came over to sit at the table, idly glancing at the donuts before looking back to Veld. "You've got motion back?"

Veld blinked, then flexed his prosthetic hand. "Some. It's glitchy, but it'll do."

"You need to see Reeve," Anya said. "That's not safe."

"He can repair it?" Vincent said, humming at her nod. "Back to Midgar, then."

"I'd rather figure out what AVALANCHE is up to first," Veld said.

Vincent shook his head. "It doesn't matter what they're up to now. She'll come for you, eventually. Even if she tries to convince herself she won't, she will."

Veld glanced at him. "You talked a while."

"Some," he agreed. "She appears to have amnesia."

Veld nodded slowly, going back to his donut, though he barely tasted it. "That explains why she didn't come back."

"And the new identity," Vincent said. "But she recognized you. And she's going to come for you, until she's at least confronted you in person once."

"You can't be sure of that," Veld said.

"Even if she didn't, AVALANCHE by nature is going against ShinRa," Anya said. "They're not going to go into hiding because Fuhito's dead."

"They'll resurface," Vincent agreed. "You've got time to recover."

"I've got time to recover?" Veld arched a brow.

"We." From Vincent's indulgent smile, he clearly thought the inclusion of himself was completely unnecessary. Gods save him, as if he hadn't been bad enough before he'd had enhancements to excuse his recklessness. "Regardless, there's time."

"I guess." He sighed. "Hard to be patient, for this."

"I can only imagine." Vincent had kept his gloves and gauntlet, and rested his good hand over Veld's a moment, gentle pressure and silent reassurance.

Veld sighed, shifting to lace their fingers together and briefly resenting two layers of leather for preventing skin contact. There would be time for that, eventually. "Back to Midgar, then. See if I can't squeeze any more information out of Rufus, and make sure I'm there to keep an eye on the board while things settle."

"And SOLDIER?"

"And SOLDIER," he agreed. They'd been… surprisingly agreeable. He wanted to trust that. "What's your take on them, Anya?"

She hummed, leaning against the counter and turning to face them. "They're creatures of habit. They'd rather not up and change their whole world, if they can help it."

"You think they're bluffing about defecting?" Veld asked.

"Not in the slightest," she disagreed. "They would in a heartbeat, if that's what it took to guarantee their survival. They would simply prefer it not come to that."

Veld nodded. He could appreciate that - he felt much the same. "How are they taking to working with you?"

"They're wary, but I think that's understandable," she said. "They're willing to try in good faith. I don't know that they're looking for fault so much as being ready to call it without much leeway."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't be surprised if they were out of patience, too," Veld said. The mess with Zack was just the icing on the cake; this had been a long time coming.

"They are. And some of them didn't have much of it to start with," she said. "However, they do seem inclined to take Zack's lead. And he is exceptionally patient."

"In some things," Veld said. "Kid can't sit still to save his life."

"No," Anya said. "But he'd hold still for eternity for those he cares for."

Veld smiled faintly. "Touché. I can't say I'm comfortable resting everything on the good will of one man, but we do what we have to."

"Don't we always?" Anya said. She did not, perhaps kindly, point out that the Turks were in much the same position. She didn't have to.

Veld sighed, shaking his head. "So, SOLDIER's not an immediate worry, at least."

"I don't think so, no. But I'd keep in touch, just to make sure nothing slips by," Anya said.

"That's what I have you in there for, Director," Veld retorted.

She wrinkled her nose, turning back to the food. "Temporarily."

"Probably. But an important role, for now," Veld said.

"I suppose. You know I'll do my duty," she said.

"Why do you think I put you there?" Veld said. He wouldn't have trusted just anyone in that position.

Anya smiled faintly, inclining her head. For a moment there was silence, but for the sizzling of cooking steak. "They're making him a general."

Veld arched a brow. "Zack?"

"Mmm." She nodded, flipping the steak with a satisfied sound at the fragrant burst of steam. "I find it fitting."

Veld considered it a moment. The other three had more experience by far, not just in combat but as First Classes. Nikolas Gregor had been in an administrative position for years. He would be a better choice from that standpoint. But then, they weren't at war. An administrator would be good for Director, certainly. But a general… "To rally them?"

"They'd all fall into step under his command," Anya said. "He's their best bet at unifying SOLDIER and convincing them that staying is their best option."

"Which is what we need right now," Veld said. "Fair enough."

"Literally," Vincent added, smirking at his groan. He reached over to grab a fritter with a hum. "One less concern is always appreciated."

"Yeah." Veld sighed. "Yeah, especially right now. I'd rather focus on AVALANCHE."

"At least they're inclined to help?" Vincent said.

Veld nodded, going back to finishing the donut he'd nearly forgotten. The sugar was helping get some of his energy back, at least. "There's that, yes. Ultimately, I'm going to have to talk to her myself."

"But not alone," Anya said.

"No, not alone," Vincent agreed immediately. "But it's a necessary conversation. Fortunately, also one she's seeking out."

Veld nodded. That would make it easier. Tracking AVALANCHE down had proven… difficult. "I don't know that she'll come alone twice."

"Just as well. You won't either." Vincent considered it. "I didn't feel that level of power from anyone else. Even their enhanced."

"The Ravens aren't all that bright anyway," Veld said. "And historically, she's never chosen them as backup. Then again, she might change her mind with you around, we'll see."

"We didn't battle," Vincent said. "She has no idea what I'm capable of."

"All the more reason to be cautious," Anya said. "Your eyes alone say you're enhanced. That puts you on a different tier. And I imagine there's a certain level of extra sensing going on. That seems to be common."

Vincent nodded thoughtfully. There was certainly awareness of her energy on his side; it would make sense that it was mutual. Now, whether or not she could interpret it any better than he could… that remained to be seen. "We'll see. I intend to go with Veld, and having a sniper with sedative darts on hand wouldn't be a bad idea."

Veld arched a brow, but didn't dispute it. He didn't want to take his daughter by force… but that might be the safest way, even if he felt horrible for so much as entertaining the idea. "We'll see."

Vincent smiled, not without sympathy. "I suppose we will."